call off

verb

called off; calling off; calls off

transitive verb

1
: to draw away : divert
2
: cancel

Examples of call off in a Sentence

she was about to tell me the big news when her attention was called off by the arrival of another guest called off the party after half of those invited couldn't make it
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The rest of the event unfolded under a shifting mishmash of restrictions, always in danger of suddenly being called off in the event of a rapid outbreak of the virus. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 Nearly one year later, however, sources confirmed in September 2025 that the couple had called off their engagement and had gone their separate ways. Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025 But the ship’s mayday alert is called off the next day when a head count reveals that nobody is missing and Lo is informed that cabin 10 was never occupied. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025 According to The Athletic, the ACC school and the former NFL coach were to be the subjects of the HBO franchise, but the production was called off at the last minute. Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for call off

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of call off was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Call off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/call%20off. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

call off

verb
1
: to draw away : divert
call off a dog
2
: cancel sense 2a
call off a meeting

More from Merriam-Webster on call off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!