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Definitions

off the record

[awf-thuh-rek-erd, of-] / ˈɔf ðəˈrɛk ərd, ˈɒf- /
ADJECTIVE
confidential
Synonyms
WEAK
arcane backdoor classified hush-hush hushed in private inside not for publication not public on the Q.T. private privy secret unofficial
ADJECTIVE
not for the record
Synonyms
WEAK
confidential eyes-only for no other ears in confidence not for publication not to be quoted on the Q.T. sensitive unofficial within these four walls
ADVERB
not for the record
Synonyms
STRONGEST
confidentially privately
WEAK
between us eyes-only for no other ears in confidence not for publication not to be quoted on the Q.T. secretly unofficially within these four walls

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He paused to verify that the event was off-the-record before commenting on Powell, who has had a public battle with Trump and is set to be succeeded by Kevin Warsh atop the Federal Reserve:

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

It's a word which comes up again and again at the moment in off-the-record conversations with ministers, government advisers and Labour MPs.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2025

In an interview on Thursday, Mr. Folkenflik said he did not violate an off-the-record agreement with Mr. Lewis to report Thursday’s article.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Or do they treat the beef as a kind of off-the-record exhibition game, as Lamar says in “Meet the Grahams” he initially intended?

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2024

“No amount of bombing can end the war,” an exhausted-looking McNamara told a few reporters in an off-the-record discussion in February.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin