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• over the counter
  over the counter

  adverb

  not transacted through an organized securities exchange; directly to the buyer or from the seller.
• over-the-counter
  over-the-counter

  adjective

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

over the counter

¹ American  

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.

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over-the-counter ² American  

[oh-ver-thuh-koun-ter] / ˈoʊ vər ðəˈkaʊn tər /

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.

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over-the-counter British  

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.  OTC.  (of medicinal drugs) able to be sold without a prescription Compare ortho-

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Etymology

Origin of over the counter¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of over-the-counter²

First recorded in 1920–25

Explanation

An over-the-counter drug is one you can buy without a prescription. Aspirin is an over-the-counter drug, but for antibiotics or other prescription drugs, you'll have to see the pharmacist. Over-the-counter drugs can be bought without a doctor's permission. You don't even have to go to the pharmacy to get over-the-counter drugs, just march up to the counter and buy it. There are all kinds of over-the-counter drugs, like pain relievers, allergy medicine, or various types of heartburn relief. Generally, over-the-counter drugs are less potentially dangerous than prescription drugs, so they’re easier to buy.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

over the counter over-the-counter

You can break it into pieces and dip it, use it as a base for toppings, or just eat it straight, standing over the counter.

From Salon ● May 22, 2026

Minoxidil has the same ingredient as Rogaine, which is available topically over the counter.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 27, 2026

This growth is especially noticeable in countries where the supplement is sold over the counter.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 15, 2026

A number of pharmacies have said they have stopped making aspirin available for over the counter sales.

From BBC ● Jan. 28, 2026

The huge women then leant down over the counter and said, “How de do?” in voices as large as themselves, and shook hands with Jane and Michael.

From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers

Don’t take the over-the-counter medication Imodium if you’re ill.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

In Pasadena, volunteers at the restaurant Chamo Venezuelan Cuisine collected supplies, issuing a special plea for bandages, gauze, painkillers and other over-the-counter medicines.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 29, 2026

Treasuries trade in an over-the-counter market, which is harder to access and is more opaque than exchange-traded securities.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

"A lot of these people actively take an over-the-counter supplement that could be making their disease progression worse."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 10, 2026

I'd tried every over-the-counter zit medication known to man, along with harsher prescription creams like Retin-A or pills like erythromycin that were recommended by my dermatologist.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi