over the counter

1 of 2

phrase

1

: in or through a broker's office rather than through a stock exchange

stock bought over the counter

2

: without a prescription

drugs available over the counter

over-the-counter

2 of 2

adjective

over-the-count·​er ˌō-vər-ṯẖə-ˈkau̇n-tər 

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Examples of over the counter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Start with a low-strength over-the-counter retinol two or three nights a week and apply it over moisturizer rather than on bare skin, then build frequency as tolerance grows. —Allison Palmer updated June 13, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

These are the same medications many people use over-the-counter for symptoms like heartburn after meals. —Ruth Jessen Hickman, Health, 12 June 2026

The antihistamine is used in over-the-counter products to treat symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, hives, skin rash, itching and nausea. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 June 2026

For mild cases, over-the-counter topical antifungals can work well. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for over the counter

• encounter

Kids Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold legally without a prescription

an over-the-counter pain reliever

Medical Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

: sold lawfully without prescription

an over-the-counter painkiller

Legal Definition

over-the-counter

adjective

over-the-count·​er

1

: not traded or effected on an organized securities exchange

over-the-counter transactions

over-the-counter securities

2

: sold lawfully without a prescription

over-the-counter drugs