Offline Meaning
/ɒfˈlaɪn/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf a system, currently not connected (generally electrically) to a larger network. For example, a power plant which is not connected to the grid, or a computer which is not connected to the Internet or to any other communications service.
adjHappening in the physical world (the real world) as opposed to on the internet.
Sentence Examples
Our server will be offline on October 20th for scheduled maintenance.
Tatoeba.org is offline for maintenance.
Going completely offline is unrealistic for most people.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Due to the network outage, the computer system remained ____ for several hours.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The system went ____ during the storm, leaving thousands of users unable to access their accounts.
Word Origin & History
From off- + line.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"That original list of 2,315 solutions was embedded in the game’s code. That means the game was playable offline and could be downloaded onto phones or computers. The solutions to the original Wordle game were predetermined through October 20, 2027. The New York Times (NYT) hasn’t said if it plans to make any more changes or additions to that initial list."
— 2022 February 15, David Goldman, “Why your Wordle answers might now be different than your friends’”, in CNN Business:
"Thousands of violent videos are still available on the internet, according to Alexander, who claims they lead to an escalation in offline tensions between rival gangs. "I believe some young people are losing their lives as result of this material on the internet," she said."
— 2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in The Guardian:
"The 2000 also emulates Diablo, Qume and NEC letter-quality printers, and has a large enough buffer memory to operate off line from the host computer for an hour."
— 1982, “Hardware News”, in InfoWorld, volume 4, number 26, page 89:
"If you want to keep the phone bill down you can set up your Newsreader to operate offline. This means that your Newsreader will fetch new message headers, collect messages you wish to read, and send any responses you may have set up all in one go. You can then read news offline, while you are not running up the phone bill[…]."
— 2000, Syndey S. Chellen, The Essential Guide to the Internet for Health Professionals, Routledge, →ISBN, page 124:
"Men like to play games online, and they also like to find out about the games that they play offline."
— 2008, Vickie Taylor, The Complete Guide to Writing Web-Based Advertising Copy to Get the Sale, Atlantic Publishing,, →ISBN, page 230:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Due to the network outage, the computer system remained ____ for several hours.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The system went ____ during the storm, leaving thousands of users unable to access their accounts.