over the counter

¹

adverb

1. not transacted through an organized securities exchange; directly to the buyer or from the seller:

   He sold his stocks over the counter.

2. Pharmacology. without a doctor's prescription but within the law.

over-the-counter

²

[ oh-ver-thuh-koun-ter ]

adjective

1. unlisted on or not part of an organized securities exchange: : OTC

   over-the-counter stocks; the over-the-counter market.

2. Pharmacology. sold legally without a doctor's prescription: : OTC

   over-the-counter drugs.

over-the-counter

adjective

1. 1. (of securities) not listed or quoted on a stock exchange
   2. (of a security market) dealing in such securities
   3. (of security transactions) conducted through a broker's office directly between purchaser and seller and not on a stock exchange
2. (of medicinal drugs) able to be sold without a prescription OTC Compare ortho-

Word History and Origins

Origin of over the counter¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of over the counter²

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Video seen by the Canadian Press reportedly shows police firing their guns over the counter of a convenience store and yelling "move over" as they aim their weapons.

From BBC

It’s available by prescription in the UK and over the counter in the US.

From BBC

As in other former Soviet countries, broad-spectrum antibiotics are sold over the counter, leading to misuse.

From Science Magazine

The first Trump administration preferred direct deal-making, whereby autocrats cut a private bargain over the counter.

From BBC

Varenicline is a prescription only medicine, which means people cannot buy it over the counter at a pharmacy or supermarket and will instead need to see their GP or an NHS stop smoking service to get it.

From BBC