drop-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈdräp-ˌȯf 

1

: a very steep or perpendicular descent

2

: a marked dwindling or decline

a drop-off in attendance

3

: the act or an instance of making a usually brief deposit or delivery

drop-off points along the route

drop off

2 of 2

verb

ˌdräp-ˈȯf 

dropped off; dropping off; drops off

intransitive verb

: to fall asleep

Synonyms of drop-off

Noun

• decrease
• reduction
• drop
• decline
• dent

Examples of drop-off in a Sentence

Noun

the drop-off in movie attendance was the greatest in more than a decade

Verb

my interest in photography has dropped off over the years

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brown is off to a wild start — 10-3 in year 1 and 3-9 in 2025, although Angeli’s injury is attributable to part of the drop-off. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

For an unguided experience, his company’s Rental and Ride package simplifies the logistics of a point-to-point river trip by coordinating the drop-off and downriver pickup. — Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

One of the most evident changes was building beyond the fire lane where ambulances drop off high-priority patients so the hospital wouldn’t feel confined. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

There are also masks, gloves and other PPE recently dropped off by good samaritans. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1812, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drop-off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff