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-counter¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Dr. Pieper cautioned against confusing this strategy with over the counter NAD+-precursors.

From Science Daily

Weight-loss jabs have been available on the NHS in England since the end of June, but the drug is not available over the counter and patients must meet strict criteria in order to be eligible for a prescription.

From BBC

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

Global foreign exchange turnover in over the counter markets averaged $9.5 trillion per day in April, up 27% from 2022, according to revised data for this year’s BIS triennial forex survey.

From The Wall Street Journal