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

However, Houston coach Ime Udoka announced before the game that Durant’s unofficial debut would have to wait. —William Guillory, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

Finally, with Vesia having faced the minimum three batters and Sasaki having warmed up in the bullpen, Roberts summoned the Dodgers' unofficial closer. —Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Turkey has become the unofficial capital of the hair transplant industry, attracting people from all over the world with lower costs and package travel deals. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025

This unofficial launch of the holiday shopping season is taking up to 60 percent off top designers and luxury beauty brands. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 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