over-the-counter

over-the-counter — adjective

IPA/ˌəʊvə ðə ˈkaʊntə(r)/
IPA/ˌəʊvər ðə ˈkaʊntər/

1. Relating to medicines and health products that people can buy from a pharmacy or

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Relating to medicines and health products that people can buy from a pharmacy or shop without first getting a written instruction from a doctor.

Example

The pharmacist recommended an over-the-counter painkiller for Kemi's back pain.

attributive use before a noun (painkiller)

Many over-the-counter cold remedies contain similar ingredients to drugs that require a prescription.

contrast with prescription drugs

Common collocations
  • over-the-counter drug
  • over-the-counter medication
  • over-the-counter remedy
  • over-the-counter product
Synonyms
  • non-prescription

    The most common synonym; interchangeable in medical contexts.

  • OTC

    Standard abbreviation used on product labels and in pharmacy settings.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

over-the-counter + [noun: drug/medication/remedy]

Usage Note

Attributive only — used before a noun (e.g. 'an over-the-counter drug'). When the same meaning is expressed after a verb, the unhyphenated adverbial phrase 'over the counter' is used instead.

Common Mistakes

I bought an over the counter medicine.
I bought an over-the-counter medicine.
When used as an adjective before a noun, the phrase must be hyphenated.
This drug is over-the-counter.
This drug is available over the counter.
After a verb, use the adverb form without hyphens.

2. Describing stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments that are exchanged dire

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

Describing stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments that are exchanged directly between financial professionals or institutions instead of being listed and traded on a central exchange building.

Example

Small tech firms often trade as over-the-counter stocks before joining a major exchange.

attributive before 'stocks'

The investment firm specialised in over-the-counter bonds for large institutional clients in Asia.

Common collocations
  • over-the-counter stock
  • over-the-counter security
  • over-the-counter bond
  • over-the-counter trading
  • over-the-counter market
Synonyms
  • unlisted

    Emphasises that the security is not listed on any formal exchange.

  • off-exchange

    Describes trades that occur outside of a central exchange platform.

  • OTC

    Standard three-letter abbreviation used universally in finance.

Antonyms
  • exchange-traded

    Refers to securities that are listed and traded on a formal stock exchange.

  • listed

    Describes a company or security that has been accepted for trading on an exchange.

Grammar Patterns

over-the-counter + [noun: stock/security/trading]

Usage Note

Attributive only. In financial news, the abbreviation OTC is very common (e.g. 'OTC markets', 'OTC trading'). The opposite of over-the-counter in this sense is 'exchange-traded' or 'listed'.

Common Mistakes

I bought shares on the over-the-counter market.' (OK but redundant)
I bought shares over the counter.
The adverbial form is more natural when describing the method of trade.

over-the-counter — adverb

IPA/ˌəʊ.və.ðəˈkaʊn.tər/
IPA/ˌoʊ.vɚ.ðəˈkaʊn.tɚ/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These three terms form a clear contrast in the context of medicines. 'Non-prescription' is the most literal synonym for over-the-counter: both describe drugs you can buy without a doctor's written order. 'OTC' is the standard abbreviated form — you will see it on pharmacy packaging, in medical writing, and on product labels. 'Prescription-only' is the direct opposite, referring to medicines that legally require a doctor's prescription and cannot be sold directly to the public. For example, a pharmacist might say: 'Paracetamol is an OTC painkiller, but antibiotics are prescription-only medicines.' Understanding this contrast helps learners navigate pharmacy conversations and health information correctly.

non-prescription ↗prescription-onlyOTC ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • buy over the counter
  • sell over the counter
  • available over the counter
  • purchase over the counter
  • trade over the counter

Etymology

English

The phrase 'over the counter' originally described goods that were handed across a shop counter to a customer. In the early 20th century, it became associated with medicines that could be sold directly to the public without a doctor's prescription — as opposed to drugs kept 'behind the counter' that required a pharmacist's authorisation. The financial sense emerged around the same period, describing stocks traded informally 'over the counter' between dealers rather than on an exchange floor. The hyphenated adjective form 'over-the-counter' developed as the phrase became established as a compound modifier.

First known use

1921

1921, in the meaning defined at sense 1