over-the-counter
/ˌəʊvə ðə ˈkaʊntə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌəʊvər ðə ˈkaʊntər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌəʊ.və.ðəˈkaʊn.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌoʊ.vɚ.ðəˈkaʊn.tɚ/ (ame, ipa)
over-the-counter — adjective
1. Relating to medicines and health products that people can buy from a pharmacy or
Relating to medicines and health products that people can buy from a pharmacy or shop without first getting a written instruction from a doctor.
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
Naoko bought an over-the-counter allergy spray instead of making an appointment with her doctor.
Felipe picked up an over-the-counter antifungal cream for his athlete's foot at the local pharmacy.
- non-prescription
The most common synonym; interchangeable in medical contexts.
- OTC
Standard abbreviation used on product labels and in pharmacy settings.
- prescription-only
Describes medicines that legally require a doctor's written order.
文法句型
over-the-counter + [noun: drug/medication/remedy]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. Describing stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments that are exchanged dire
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.
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.
Regulators introduced new rules for over-the-counter derivatives after the 2008 financial crisis.
A startup raised capital by selling over-the-counter shares to private investors.
- 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.
- 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.
文法句型
over-the-counter + [noun: stock/security/trading]
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
over-the-counter — adverb
1. Used to describe how somebody obtains a product such as a medicine or a regulate
Used to describe how somebody obtains a product such as a medicine or a regulated item — you just go to a shop and buy it without first getting a doctor's written instruction or authority figure's special approval.
You can buy these antihistamine tablets over the counter at any pharmacy in town.
postpositive after verb 'buy'
Are these allergy tablets available over the counter, or do I need a prescription from my doctor?
question form: available + over the counter
The pharmacist said the antihistamine was available over the counter, so Putri did not need a prescription.
Dario bought aspirin over the counter at a convenience store near his hotel.
- without a prescription
More explicit; limited to medical contexts.
- directly from a shop
A paraphrase that works for non-medical items.
- by prescription only
Describes items that legally require a doctor's written order.
文法句型
verb + over the counter
available + over the counter
用法筆記
This adverbial form is written without hyphens (over the counter). It follows a verb (buy, sell, purchase, get, obtain, be available). Do not use the hyphenated adjective form in this position.