turnoff

1 of 2

noun

turn·​off ˈtərn-ˌȯf 

1

: a place where one turns off

especially : exit sense 4

2

informal : one that causes loss of interest or enthusiasm

the music was a turnoff

3

: a turning off

turn off

2 of 2

verb

turned off; turning off; turns off

transitive verb

1

: to stop the flow of or shut off by or as if by turning a control

turn the water off

2

informal : to cause to lose interest : bore

economics turns me off

also : to evoke a negative feeling in

3

a

: dismiss, discharge

b

: to dispose of : sell

4

: deflect sense 2, evade

5

: produce, accomplish

6

: hang sense 1b

7

a

: to remove (material) by the process of turning

b

: to shape or produce by turning

intransitive verb

1

: to deviate from a straight course or from a main road

turn off into a side road

2

a

British : to turn bad : spoil

b

: to change to a specified state : become

3

informal : to lose interest : withdraw

Synonyms of turnoff

Verb

• disgust
• repulse
• put off
• sicken

Examples of turnoff in a Sentence

Noun

His strong cologne was a real turnoff.

Verb

that memorably bad meal turned me off about restaurant food for a while

turn off at the third exit and follow the ramp to your left

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Along a sliver of land between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan, take the turnoff to Point Betsie Lighthouse. — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 9 July 2026

The new executive, if hired, would not likely enjoy any editorial or creative control greater than Weiss, two of these people say, which has been a turnoff for some people who have met for discussions. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 June 2026

Verb

In Northern California, the city of Mountain View turned off its 30 Flock cameras in February after officials announced that federal and state law enforcement agencies had accessed city data in violation of the city’s policies. — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

If caught in dense blowing dust, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Rhymes for turnoff

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

Kids Definition

turnoff

1 of 2 noun

turn·​off ˈtər-ˌnȯf 

1

: a place where one turns off (as from a road)

2

: something that causes loss of interest or enjoyment

the music was a turnoff

turn off

2 of 2 verb

ˌtər-ˈnȯf, 

ˈtər-

1

: to turn aside

turned off onto a side road

2

: to stop by or as if by turning a control

turn off the light

turn the alarm off

3

: to cause dislike or loss of interest

that sort of thing turns me off