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 start of outdoor running season kicks off with the 2026 Shamrock Shuffle on Sunday morning. —Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026

That observation, made in a CharlotteFive feature on Brooks’ Sandwich House, could serve as the unofficial motto of a city that has spent the better part of two decades in a full sprint toward the future. —Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026

In the southwest suburban 16th District, incumbent one-term Commissioner Frank Aguilar came in third place, according to unofficial returns. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Several chains are offering discounts or freebies to celebrate the unofficial holiday. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 14 Mar. 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