offline

adjective

off·​line ˈȯf-ˈlīn How to pronounce offline (audio)
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 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.
The California Department of Water Resources also refuted the president’s claim, noting that the pumps had been offline for three days due to the maintenance. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 One such potential attack—the details of which are redacted in the report—could be carried out for as little as $20,000, and if successful could knock a $2 billion datacenter offline from between six months to a year. Billy Perrigo, Time, 22 Apr. 2025 Although the question asked on CNBC focused on Clark and Reese, threats and harassment both online and offline are outspread throughout the WNBA and women’s basketball stars. Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 Kickstart Your Day with The Morning Jolt McCoy learned that the hard way, about creeping: A major donor offered a major gift for a project that was offline to WTCG’s core focus. Jack Fowler, National Review, 7 Apr. 2025 Research where your buyers go for information, online and offline. Natalie Nathanson, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 However, if the pipeline remains offline for more than a few days to a week, the supply disruption could become more serious. Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025 Two Department of Defense websites dedicated to Black veterans, including baseball star Jackie Robinson and Medal of Honor recipient Army Maj. Gen. Charles Gavin Rogers were also temporarily taken offline before being restored. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025 Regularly back up critical data to secure, offline locations that ransomware cannot access. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025

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 26 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

offline

adjective
off·​line
ˈȯ-ˈflīn
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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