unofficial

adjective

un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfi-shəl How to pronounce unofficial (audio)
 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
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.
Their lawsuit will seek to halt Musk’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing payment systems at the Treasury Department, which includes bank account and Social Security data. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Feb. 2025 During Trump's first administration, some of his family and staff took some minimal grief for conducting official business through unofficial, encrypted apps like WhatsApp. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 This would seem to contradict the popular wisdom of James – and/or Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, the agent for James and Davis – as the Lakers’ unofficial co-general managers. Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 5 Feb. 2025 By dealing for Doncic, the Lakers underwent an unofficial transition, no longer putting James’ needs first and focusing them on their new 25-year-old star. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unofficial 

Word History

First Known Use

1784, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unofficial was in 1784

Dictionary Entries Near unofficial

Cite this Entry

“Unofficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unofficial. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Medical Definition

unofficial

adjective
un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfish-əl How to pronounce unofficial (audio)
: not official
specifically : of, relating to, or being a drug not described in the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary compare nonofficial, official
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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