variants or less commonly off-line
1
: not connected to or served by a system and especially a computer or telecommunications system
One of the servers is offline.
… we suggest you keep a backup of your digital assets in offline storage, too. This storage can provide some cushioning if your online investment disappears in an instant.—The Denver (Colorado) Post
also : done or occurring independently of such a system
our online and offline lives
offline activities/events
Movies and shows can be downloaded via the app for offline viewing. —Dan Auty
2
of a person : not available (as for communication) especially by way of the Internet
She was having computer trouble, she told him, and would be offline for a while.—Mark Warren
off-line adverb

Examples of offline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Zapya, an offline file-sharing app using Bluetooth; and old-fashioned word-of-mouth. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 Qatar is largely offline now because of the Iran war, and more of Australia’s offshore gas fields are drying up. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Mainland China is another land of opportunity, where people are increasingly buying brands on and offline. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Livestreaming commerce lets entrepreneurs start small from home and use their passion and personality to interact with shoppers in ways big retailers, online and offline, cannot. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offline

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of offline was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offline. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

offline

adjective
1
: not connected to or controlled by a computer
an offline printer
2
: not available (as for communication) especially by way of the Internet
she was offline all day
off-line adverb
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