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

Now, as part of the unofficial SportsCon of Super Bowl week, the Pro Bowl caps a daylong celebration of flag football that includes the championship game for the under-13 international coed teams, and a showcase game featuring the 32 best girls high school flag players. —Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

But on Tuesday, in the east wing of the Idaho Capitol, a group of immigration hardliners doubled down during an unofficial event attended by several conservative lawmakers. —Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2026

Jurgensen also became an unofficial confidant-at-large around the organization. —Barry Wilner, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026

But for those who didn’t download Duolingo in time or are unfamiliar with how Bad Bunny became a global phenomenon, NBC News has an unofficial guide to the performer ahead of his big show. —Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 6 Feb. 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