off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts How to pronounce off-limits (audio)
: not to be entered or patronized by a designated class (such as military personnel)
also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of
the subject of sex was off-limits in her family

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
And the vast majority of campus is now off-limits to unpermitted protests as more private security guards patrol. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 And many of us have several shows or movies that are totally off-limits. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 23 Oct. 2024 From Ramses Prashad’s reluctance to understand Marissa George’s military service or her decision to not go on birth control to Monica Davis and Stephen Richardson discussing their voting history, what once seemed off-limits for the series has taken a central role. Monique Wilson, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2024 True to its name, La Casa de la Playa feels like your own private beach house; there were very few off-limits areas. Katherine Alex Beaven, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for off-limits 

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-limits was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near off-limits

Cite this Entry

“Off-limits.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-limits. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

off-limits

adjective
ˈȯ-ˈflim-əts
1
: not to be entered or used by a certain group of people
2
: not to be discussed or considered
questions about my salary are off-limits

More from Merriam-Webster on off-limits

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!