off-screen

adverb or adjective

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
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But Liz and Dick aren’t the only other Hollywood couples whose off-screen love story would provide so much grist for the mill. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026 The passion off-screen created and fueled the passion on-screen. Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 The actor, who recently got into an off-screen scuffle with a neighbor, shared an update on Wednesday from a recording booth on the upcoming season of the Prime Video action crime series. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026 Can’t get enough of the most famous blonde in the world’s on-screen charm and off-screen depth? Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 17 Mar. 2026 Jo paused before replying while looking off-screen. Lisa Cavazuti, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026 While his character had a reputation for being less than polite, La Salle recalls his off-screen camaraderie with the cast. Luria Freeman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026 The screenplay also has a passing reference to Evy’s useless, off-screen boyfriend Darren (voiced by Ryan Turner). Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026 Although off-screen, her abusive mother has a palpable hold over her. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-screen was in 1916

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Cite this Entry

“Off-screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-screen. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.

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