offscreen

American  

[awf-skreen, of-] / ˈɔfˈskrin, ˈɒf- /

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.

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adverb

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

   Offscreen he's a racing-car enthusiast.

Etymology

Origin of offscreen

First recorded in 1930–35; off + screen

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

offscreen

Backstage, the winners continued their celebrations offscreen and answered questions about their wins and some of the ceremony's most viral moments.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

We’re blessed that Fanning survived the transition from precocious child actor to grown-up movie star with the skills to play a fictional disaster rather than be one offscreen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Where Americans think of graphically violent procedurals as comfort watches, the British prefer their TV homicides to be much tidier: Serious violence occurs offscreen.

From Salon ● Jun. 16, 2026

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.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2025

Dad walks offscreen, the gravel and leaves crunching under his footsteps, then brings Mom in, blindfolded.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio