offscreen

[awf-skreen, of-]

adjective

1. occurring, existing, or done away from the motion-picture or television screen.

   an offscreen voice.

2. in real life rather than on the motion-picture or television screen.

   the newscaster's offscreen personality.

adverb

1. apart or away from motion-picture or television performances; in actual life.

   Offscreen he's a racing-car enthusiast.

Word History and Origins

Origin of offscreen¹

First recorded in 1930–35; off + screen

Example Sentences

Others confirm Murphy’s low-key nature offscreen, including actor Jamie Foxx, who says, “Eddie is very introverted.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Ms. Keaton’s elegant looks, warm laugh, broad smile, her canny intelligence and broad streak of whimsy made her as sought-after offscreen as on.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Offscreen, her voice, whether in memoirs, interviews or social media posts, remained singular: a blend of self-deprecation, curiosity and fierce independence.

Read more on Salon

But offscreen, our family was falling apart.

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With barely any time offscreen, Byrne has the opportunity to flit between monstrous and tender, turning in what may very well be the year’s finest performance in its most singularly affecting film.

Read more on Salon