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

Indian actor Ahaan Panday makes his debut with the Bollywood film Saiyaara which was hailed as the unofficial third film in Mohit Suri’s hit romantic franchise Aashiqui. —Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Old Navy Button-down Plaid Ruffle Shirt Plaid is the unofficial pattern of the fall, so naturally this button-down top will fit right into your seasonal packing list (and the $23 price tag certainly doesn’t hurt). —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025

The unofficial scorecards from journalists were more favorable to Frazier. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

His unofficial job description is 'professional distraction. —Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025

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