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.

---

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.

---

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-

---

Etymology

Origin of over the counter¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Origin of over-the-counter²

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Some 47% of 1,003 Americans surveyed by mattress company Sleepopolis currently take a sleep aid, with natural supplements like melatonin proving the most popular, in favour of prescription and over the counter medications.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

U.S.-listed shares of Repsol, which trade over the counter, declined 3.5%.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 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

Faith leaned over the counter and pointed at the lower deck.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx