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

These are often unofficial TV boxes sold online under countless names. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

All of it is courtesy of G&P Records, Local H’s in-house merch arm run by long-time friend and unofficial third member Gabe Rodriguez. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 8 July 2026

In 2024, Wong pleaded guilty in a separate national security case linked to an unofficial primary election and was sentenced to four years and eight months. — ABC News, 7 July 2026

As the gateway to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, Trenton serves as the unofficial starting point for the byway. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 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