off-limits

adjective

off-lim·​its ˈȯf-ˈli-məts 

: not to be entered or patronized especially by a designated class of people

Certain areas of the museum are off-limits to visitors.

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

The subject of politics was off-limits in her family.

Examples of off-limits in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The long lawn to the south remained mostly off-limits—but not for security reasons so much as keeping nosy tourists away from the first family. —Neil Flanagan, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026

But if yours is looking too worn, you might be tempted to keep it off-limits for guests. —Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 2 May 2026

Beaches at state parks are off-limits to dogs. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026

Turkish authorities in Istanbul detained hundreds of demonstrators for attempting to march in areas declared off-limits on security grounds, most notably central Taksim Square, the epicenter of 2013 protests. —Sylvie Corbet, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

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