off-screen

adverb or adjective

ˈȯf-ˈskrēn 

variants or offscreen

1

: out of sight of the movie or television viewer

a shot fired off-screen

Before long, Anthony introduces himself to the family pooch, who is whooshed away to an off-screen death.

—Kris Turnquist

2

: in private life : when not appearing in a movie, on television, etc.

Moyer's off-screen magnetism comes from a down-to-earth friendliness.

—Kate Hahn

Pfeiffer, 34, remains a mystery woman offscreen.

—Michael A. Lipton

Examples of off-screen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While Peggy won the Final Jam and was destined to become a record-selling superstar, Richards prioritized starting a family off-screen. — Maya Pow, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Whatever work to define the relationship the pair have done, after 13 years, has happened off-screen — and that’s the way Russell and Rhys, at 50 and 51, want it. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

As big reveals continue to occupy an important place in the lexicon of family storytelling on social media, their tropes are manifesting off-screen. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026

Mills said fans can expect an authentic look at her life off-screen. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for off-screen

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine