unofficial

adjective

un·​of·​fi·​cial ˌən-ə-ˈfi-shəl How to pronounce unofficial (audio)
also -ō-
Synonyms of unofficialnext
: 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.
Blair defeated Marcye Scott 54% to 46%, according to unofficial results. — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 26 Aug. 2026 With fall oh-so-close, the excitement around buying clothes is reaching fever pitch for those who know this marks the unofficial start to a new year in fashion. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 The team is also warning fans to avoid unofficial gear being sold online. — Christine Sloan, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Labor Day, America’s unofficial end of summer, is nearly two weeks away. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for unofficial

See All Rhymes for unofficial

Browse Nearby Words

unofficered
unofficial
unofficinal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unofficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unofficial. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on unofficial

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unofficial

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