off-screen
adverb or adjective
variants
or offscreen
1
: out of sight of the movie or television viewer
a shot fired off-screen
Before long, Anthony introduces himself to the family pooch, who is whooshed away to an off-screen death.—
Kris Turnquist
Kris Turnquist2
: in private life : when not appearing in a movie, on television, etc.
Moyer's off-screen magnetism comes from a down-to-earth friendliness.—Kate Hahn
Kate HahnPfeiffer, 34, remains a mystery woman offscreen.—Michael A. Lipton
Michael A. LiptonExamples of off-screen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While his character in Abbott Elementary may revel in quirky antics and conspiracies, Davis’ off-screen approach to the craft is rooted in intention and resilience.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
Early action scenes are told in strangely oblique ways, with gunfire erupting off-screen (but little carnage shown) or else via abrupt cuts, filled in later by ultra-violent flashbacks.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
The lion’s share of Han and Leia’s multi-decade relationship took place off-screen.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Our on-screen and off-screen bond punctuated by playful exchanges and patches of exhausted silence.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025
Michelle introduced her boyfriend Aaron Nosler on-camera, while Jesse's partner remains off-screen but central to his storyline.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
The former Big Bang Theory costars, who dated off-screen during the show's early seasons, reunited in an advertisement for the Royal Kingdom mobile app.
—EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025
While Bowen is also a mom to twins John and Gustav, 15, in real life, her relationships with her Modern Family children transcend off-screen as well.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
The production was dealt a devastating off-screen loss in December when Lavin died with three episodes left to tape.
—Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
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Okla Jones, Essence, 24 Apr. 2025
Early action scenes are told in strangely oblique ways, with gunfire erupting off-screen (but little carnage shown) or else via abrupt cuts, filled in later by ultra-violent flashbacks.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
The lion’s share of Han and Leia’s multi-decade relationship took place off-screen.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Our on-screen and off-screen bond punctuated by playful exchanges and patches of exhausted silence.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025
Michelle introduced her boyfriend Aaron Nosler on-camera, while Jesse's partner remains off-screen but central to his storyline.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
The former Big Bang Theory costars, who dated off-screen during the show's early seasons, reunited in an advertisement for the Royal Kingdom mobile app.
—EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025
While Bowen is also a mom to twins John and Gustav, 15, in real life, her relationships with her Modern Family children transcend off-screen as well.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
The production was dealt a devastating off-screen loss in December when Lavin died with three episodes left to tape.
—Sean Piccoli, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Off-screen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-screen. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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