1
a(1)
: from a place or position
march off
specifically
: away from land
ship stood off to sea
(2)
: at a distance in space or time
stood 10 paces off
a long way off
b
: from a course : aside
turned off into a bypath
specifically
: away from the wind
The ship eased off a point or two.
c
: into an unconscious state
dozed off
2
a
: so as to be separated from support
rolled to the edge of the table and off
or close contact
blew the lid off
the handle came off
b
: so as to be divided
surface marked off into squares
3
a
: to a state of discontinuance or suspension
shut off an engine
b
—used as an intensifier
drink off a glass
finish it off
4
: in absence from or suspension of regular work or service
take time off for lunch
5
: offstage
The actor turns and goes off.
1
a
—used as a function word to indicate physical separation or distance from a position of rest, attachment, or union
take it off the table
a path off the main walk
a shop just off the main street
b
: to seaward of
two miles off shore
2
: from the possession or charge of
had his wallet stolen off him
3
—used as a function word to indicate the object of an action
borrowed a dollar off him
dined off oysters
4
a
—used as a function word to indicate the suspension of an occupation or activity
off duty
off liquor
b
: below the usual standard or level of
off his game
2
a
: started on the way
off on a spree
b
: not taking place or staying in effect : canceled
the deal was off
c
: not operating
d
: not placed so as to permit operation
3
4
a
: spent off duty
reading on his off days
b
: marked by a periodic decline in activity or business
traveled in the off season for lower prices
5
6
: circumstanced
worse off
office; officer; official
ˌȯf
: competition : contest
cook-off
dance-off
Synonyms
Adverb
Adjective
- bad
- bastard
- bush
- bush-league
- crummy
- crumby
- deficient
- dissatisfactory
- ill
- inferior
- lame
- lousy
- paltry
- poor
- punk
- sour
- suboptimal
- subpar
- substandard
- unacceptable
- unsatisfactory
- wack [slang]
- wanting
- wretched
- wrong
Verb
Examples of off in a Sentence
Adverb
She put on her jacket and off she went.
The car turned off onto a side street.
Preposition
She is still living off her parents.
The family lives off welfare.
They live off the land.
They make their living off tourism.
Adjective
The lever is in the off position.
He is off playing golf.
She is off on a trip.
Verb
The movie is about a gangster who gets power by offing his rivals.
the hit man was rumored to have offed at least three people in the last year alone
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
His team concocted an idea where Tyler would walk vertically up a cliff wall, hang on to a ledge for dear life, then be blown across (and off) the stage by a simulated wind gust.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for off 
Adverb
Another front arriving from the west should help initiate a shower chance by afternoon that could last off and in into early Saturday.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024
His team concocted an idea where Tyler would walk vertically up a cliff wall, hang on to a ledge for dear life, then be blown across (and off) the stage by a simulated wind gust.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for off
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near off
Cite this Entry
“Off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
off
1 of 3 adverb1
a
: from a place or position
march off
stood 10 paces off
drove the dogs off
b
: from a course : aside
turned off onto a side street
c
: into an unconscious state
dozed off
2
: so as to be separated from support or close contact
rolled to the edge of the table and off
the handle came off
3
: so as to be divided
surface marked off into squares
4
: so as to be stopped or finished
shut off an engine
a coat of paint to finish it off
5
: away from work
took the day off
off
2 of 3 preposition(ˈ)ȯf
1
: away from the surface, position, or place of
take it off the table
the ball bounced off the wall
a path off the main road
2
—used to indicate the object of an action
borrowed a dollar off him
living off my parents
3
a
: released or freed from
off duty
b
: below the usual level of
off her game
a dollar off the price
off
3 of 3 adjective(ˈ)ȯf
1
a
: not left : right
the off horse
b
: more distant
the off side of the building
2
: started on the way
off on a trip
they're off and running
3
a
: not taking place
the game is off
b
: not operating
the radio is off
4
5
: being not as busy as usual
liked to vacation during the off season
6
a
: not very good : poor
an off grade of oil
b
: below or down from the normal
stocks were off
offered at 15% off
7
: provided for or taken care of
we were better off before
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