unofficial
Without formal authorization
Unofficial describes something not formally authorized, sanctioned, or recognized by an authority.
An unofficial report lacks institutional backing.
An unofficial record hasn't been verified by governing bodies.
The word often signals information that's credible but unconfirmed: Unofficial results show the incumbent winning.
Sometimes unofficial suggests something deliberately kept off the books: an unofficial policy, an unofficial agreement.
Not officially permitted
- unlicensedWithout official permit
- unrecognizedNot identified or acknowledged
- unapprovedNot officially permitted
- bootlegIllegally produced goods
pirated · counterfeit · knockoff · unaccredited · illegitimate · unendorsed · rogue · wildcat
Free of stress
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
- informalRelaxed, not official
- easygoingRelaxed in temperament
- looseNot firmly secured
unstructured · off-the-record · unannounced · low-key · understated · quiet · discreet · unpublicized
Spread without verification
- unverifiedNot yet proven true
- allegedClaimed but unproven
- reportedCommunicated formally
- speculatedGuessed based on incomplete information
leaked · unsubstantiated · hearsay · whispered · grapevine · purported · supposed · claimed
Replacement for another
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- fallbackAlternative if primary fails
secondary · reserve · surrogate · provisional · interim · stopgap · makeshift · workaround
Collective of connected people
- localOf this area
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
- citizenLegal national member
- organizingSystematically putting in order
movement · activism · coalition · collective · bottom-up · crowdsourced · DIY · indie
unsanctioned
Not officially permitted
- unlicensedWithout official permit
- unrecognizedNot identified or acknowledged
- unapprovedNot officially permitted
bootleg · pirated · counterfeit · knockoff · unaccredited · illegitimate · unendorsed · rogue · wildcat · off-the-books
relaxed
Free of stress
loose · unstructured · off-the-record · unannounced · low-key · understated · quiet · discreet · unpublicized · word-of-mouth
rumored
Spread without verification
- unverifiedNot yet proven true
- allegedClaimed but unproven
- reportedCommunicated formally
speculated · leaked · unsubstantiated · hearsay · whispered · grapevine · purported · supposed · claimed · unannounced
substitute
Replacement for another
- replacementWhat takes another's place
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
fallback · secondary · reserve · surrogate · provisional · interim · stopgap · makeshift · workaround · placeholder
community
Collective of connected people
organizing · movement · activism · coalition · collective · bottom-up · crowdsourced · DIY · indie · homegrown
- unofficialunauthorized, unapproved, unregistered, off-the-books, bootleg
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- statusespending, active, approved, inactive, completed
- confidentialconfidential, secret, private, classified, undisclosed
- Forbiddenforbidden, prohibited, banned, not allowed, off-limits
- relationship statussingle, married, divorced, engaged, separated
unofficialofficial
Authority-sanctioned person or status
authorized · authorised · sanctioned · approved · ratified
unofficialformal
Following strict protocol
official · formalized · formalised · ceremonial · procedural
unofficialconfirmed
Established as accurate
corroborated · substantiated · verified · authoritative · authenticated