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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The coming together of political opposites in Berlin under the banner of peace had been percolating for months, though the union remains ad hoc and unofficial. —Shane Harris, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023

Ma says the purpose of his 12-day visit, which is unofficial, is to make offerings to his ancestors, as well as promote cross-strait student exchanges. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 29 Mar. 2023

Heading off to war robbed Gafford of the opportunity to play for the Steagles, the unofficial nickname for the one-year merger of the NFL’s Pittsburgh and Philadelphia franchises because of the shortage of players due to the worldwide conflict. —Mark Inabinett | [e-mail], al, 17 Apr. 2023

He's even become an unofficial spokesperson for the brand, preaching to friends and strangers about the benefits of owning one. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2023

Products from brands such as BMW and Apple remain available in Russia after the companies announced plans to suspend or end operations in the country, though in some cases, this is because of unofficial imports. —Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2023

Despite living and working in the unofficial capital of cannabis, cultivators in Northern California's Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino counties, known as the Emerald Triangle, have struggled since recreational marijuana was legalized in 2016. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 14 Apr. 2023

Hagerty High alum Brian Ellis, team captain for his No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast University baseball team, set an unofficial major college record this week by reaching base in 102 games in a row over three seasons. —Buddy Collings, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2023

They were joined by other people, and now the region has become a sort of unofficial campout spot where street parties take place and people leave everything from trash bags to unwanted vehicles, the residents have said. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

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