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

The unofficial world record follows the previous informal record set in Vancouver in 2024. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Everybody's getting excited and the draw is kind of the unofficial kickoff. —Dana Taylor, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

Early reports suggest the total system output could reach up to 952 horsepower, potentially propelling the SUV from 0–62 mph in roughly three seconds and offering a total driving range above 620 miles, though these numbers are still unofficial. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 7 Dec. 2025

All race times and places remained unofficial as of midday Sunday, with runners continuing to stream past the finish line as of early afternoon. —Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 7 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