offline

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

Outside the current meeting, in a more private setting.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

At meetings, people cut off discussion by saying “Let’s continue that conversation offline,” even though they are meeting face to face, not online; “offline” is a new synonym for “in private,” as though everything public were now on the Internet.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “offline” mean?

Outside the current meeting, in a more private setting.

Is “offline” formal or informal?

offline is generally slang.