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 guest experience calls for adults to pay a visit to every country represented in the World Showcase and get an alcoholic beverage from each location in one day. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 14 May 2025

Lee lives and works in a rare bookstore tucked in the heart of Tulsa — a local refuge and unofficial community hub. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025

In 2018, Kristen Stewart took off her high heels on the red carpet in defiance of a technically unofficial Cannes requirement that women wear heels, per Vogue. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 May 2025

The dress code was unofficial, but unanimous: Tory Burch head to toe. —Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 13 May 2025

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