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

In absence of that, the private sector will have no choice but to lean on unofficial cross-border communication and collaboration to keep the next WeChat worm from leaving the lab. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026

All three were listed as co-starters on the team’s unofficial depth chart. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The iconic, hallmarked cabanas, where Venetian regulars return each summer with children and grandchildren, are passed down as unofficial heirlooms. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

The stand reopens officially on May 1 every year, even if there’s still snow on the ground, to mark the unofficial start of summer in the city. — Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 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