over-the-counter

adjective

over-the-count·​er ˌō-vər-ṯẖə-ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Examples of over-the-counter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

A lot of over-the-counter skin care for acne also doesn’t have solid clinicals. —Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

And the relief could be comparable to the effect of over-the-counter pain medications. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025

The company’s diabetes care sales surged nearly 20% in the second quarter of this year, fueled in part by demand for its over-the-counter monitors that don’t need a prescription. —Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

In addition, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help provide symptom relief. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for over-the-counter

• counter
• encounter

Kids Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold legally without a prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Medical Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter painkiller

Legal Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

over-the-count·​er

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without a prescription

over-the-counter drugs