off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts 

: not to be entered or patronized by a designated class (such as military personnel)

also : not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of

the subject of sex was off-limits in her family

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In late January, county public health officials deemed ocean water off-limits to beachgoers from Las Flores State Beach in Malibu to Santa Monica State Beach, citing concerns about potential toxic or carcinogenic chemicals in the sand and water. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025

Social Security and Medicare, although costly, are effectively off-limits due to their popularity with seniors. —Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

After an introductory interview with the media before spring training, he was declared off-limits when the early reviews of his performance trickled in. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025

To hear Bondi describe it, the state’s DMV data is completely off-limits to the federal government, but that’s just not true. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off-limits

• delimits
• limites
• limits

Kids Definition

off-limits

adjective

ˈȯ-ˈflim-əts

1

: not to be entered or used by a certain group of people

2

: not to be discussed or considered

questions about my salary are off-limits