over the counter
1 Americanadverb
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not transacted through an organized securities exchange; directly to the buyer or from the seller.
He sold his stocks over the counter.
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Pharmacology. without a doctor's prescription but within the law.
adjective
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unlisted on or not part of an organized securities exchange: OTC
over-the-counter stocks; the over-the-counter market.
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Pharmacology. sold legally without a doctor's prescription: OTC
over-the-counter drugs.
adjective
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(of securities) not listed or quoted on a stock exchange
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(of a security market) dealing in such securities
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(of security transactions) conducted through a broker's office directly between purchaser and seller and not on a stock exchange
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This growth is especially noticeable in countries where the supplement is sold over the counter.
From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026
U.S.-listed shares of Repsol, which trade over the counter, declined 3.5%.
From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026
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
"There are lots of things, like painkillers or anti-nausea tablets, you can buy over the counter that may be helpful to manage headaches" says Dr Munro.
From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025
“Papa’s coming down now to take over the counter, so let’s blow this joint.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.