off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts 

: not to be entered or patronized especially by a designated class of people

Certain areas of the museum are off-limits to visitors.

also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of

The subject of politics was off-limits in her family.

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An officially off-limits section of the hospital basement turns out to be a hotbed of unauthorized—and in some cases criminal—activity. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

Of course, anything that comes in a package is probably off-limits. —Korin Miller, SELF, 8 Jan. 2026

Expanding where traditional wind cannot Beyond cost and speed, the company’s compact and modular turbines open doors to locations that are often off-limits to large wind farms. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026

Even when races aren’t scheduled, speedway tours give visitors access to areas typically off-limits, - ideal for racing fans and curious newcomers alike. —Bill Bootz, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off-limits

• delimits
• limites
• limits

Kids Definition

off-limits

adjective

ˈȯ-ˈflim-əts

1

: not to be entered or used by a certain group of people

2

: not to be discussed or considered

questions about my salary are off-limits