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 Whisper number is the Street’s unofficial view on earnings. —Adam Sarhan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

The town’s unofficial motto adorns a hat in the team store at Bowman Park. —Tim Britton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

Davidson had been on campus in February for an official visit but asked to come back seven months later on her own dime for an unofficial trip. —Devon Henderson, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025

Kneeland was the starter on the initial unofficial depth chart and was not asked to play in the preseason opener, but don’t be surprised if there is some shuffling before Week 1 as the group behind him quickly approaches. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 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