offline

adjective

off·​line ˈȯf-ˈlīn How to pronounce offline (audio)
variants or less commonly off-line
1
: not connected to or served by a system and especially a computer or telecommunications system
One of the servers is offline.
… we suggest you keep a backup of your digital assets in offline storage, too. This storage can provide some cushioning if your online investment disappears in an instant.The Denver (Colorado) Post
also : done or occurring independently of such a system
our online and offline lives
offline activities/events
Movies and shows can be downloaded via the app for offline viewing. Dan Auty
2
of a person : not available (as for communication) especially by way of the the Internet
She was having computer trouble, she told him, and would be offline for a while.Mark Warren
off-line adverb

Examples of offline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Research where your buyers go for information, online and offline. Natalie Nathanson, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 However, if the pipeline remains offline for more than a few days to a week, the supply disruption could become more serious. Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 Two Department of Defense websites dedicated to Black veterans, including baseball star Jackie Robinson and Medal of Honor recipient Army Maj. Gen. Charles Gavin Rogers were also temporarily taken offline before being restored. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 Regularly back up critical data to secure, offline locations that ransomware cannot access. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025 The refinery is still offline, constraining supplies across the state, and is not expected to return to full output until the fourth quarter of this year. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 What about the idea when Secretary Austin went MIA for a surgery, and went completely offline. Nbc News, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025 During these searches, your device is typically in airplane mode or offline, so the officer can only go through what's on the hard drive or operating system. Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 Appreciation: Cultivating an appreciation for the diversity of human thought needs to happen offline, tech-less. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of offline was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offline. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

offline

adjective
off·​line
ˈȯ-ˈflīn
1
: not connected to or controlled by a computer
an offline printer
2
: not available (as for communication) especially by way of the Internet
she was offline all day
off-line adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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