ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unofficial

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌənəˈfɪʃəɫ// UK //ʌnəfˈɪʃəl// un·of·fi·cial

adj. not confirmed or approved by an organization or government. You use this to describe things that are known to be true but haven't been formally announced yet.

adj. not formally authorised or confirmed by an officer or body of authority. Describes information, results, or positions that lack official validation despite being widely known or practiced.


SIMPLE

The unofficial results show that she won the election.

CONTEXTUAL

Although the company hasn't made an announcement, the unofficial word is that the office will close next month.

COMPLEX

The report remains unofficial until the board of directors signs the final document, though its findings have already been leaked to the press and discussed by the public.

Antonyms
Origin

From un- + official.

Usage

Typically placed before the noun it modifies; often used to contrast with formal or legal status.

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