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

Fittingly, perhaps, England has adopted, as unofficial ambassador and strategic diplomatic envoy, a polite, anthropomorphic bear in a red hat and blue duffel coat. —Anna Russell, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Each new year brings with it an official collection of color of the year picks, as well as an unofficial list of color trends to retire. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025

Few artists have blurred the lines between music, politics and fashion quite like Puerto Rico’s unofficial superhero, Bad Bunny. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025

After a psychic medium who knows too much turns up dead, a pianist begins an unofficial investigation into the brutal slaying in this standalone effort from the Italian horror master. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 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