unofficial

adjective

un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfi-shəl 

also -ō-

: not authorized or acknowledged by a government, group, class, or society : not official

unofficial results

an unofficial policy

unofficially adverb

Examples of unofficial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Stacy Lake won the Democratic primary for Jackson County executive Tuesday night, beating out five challengers to advance to the November general election, according to unofficial results from the Kansas City and Jackson County election boards. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026

The unofficial after-party tour following Karol G was the couple’s first taste of national attention. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Labor Day marks the unofficial finale of beach season in the United States, giving travelers one last opportunity to dip their toes in the sand before cooler weather arrives. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

For decades, the Clash served as the unofficial green flag for Daytona Speedweeks. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unofficial

• artificial
• beneficial
• cicatricial
• interstitial
• nonjudicial
• nonofficial
• prejudicial
• sacrificial
• superficial
• extrajudicial
• semiofficial
• initial

Medical Definition

unofficial

adjective

un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfish-əl 

: not official

specifically : of, relating to, or being a drug not described in the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary compare nonofficial, official