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

Example Sentences

Shares of Fannie and Freddie, which trade over the counter, soared last year after Trump on social media said he was working on taking the companies public.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

You can now skip the checkup and get continuous glucose monitors, hearing aids and more over the counter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

Sports drinks can help with mild dehydration, but what may be more helpful are oral rehydration fluids that can be bought over the counter.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2025

"There are lots of things, like painkillers or anti-nausea tablets, you can buy over the counter that may be helpful to manage headaches" says Dr Munro.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

I even taught them how to bake brownies on Sunday, and I didn’t get a bit mad when Tariq spilled batter all over the counter.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan