SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

drop-off

play

noun \ ˈdräp-ˌȯf \

Definition of drop-off

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

See drop-off defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of drop-off

1923

drop-off Synonyms

Synonyms

abatement, decline, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Antonyms

boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick

Related Words

deduction, subtraction; downturn, slip, slump; curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening

Near Antonyms

accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement; continuation, extension; upswing, uptrend, upturn

drop off

play

verb \ ˌdräp-ˈȯf \

Definition of drop off

intransitive verb

:to fall asleep

Examples of drop off in a Sentence

my interest in photography has dropped off over the years

First Known Use of drop off

1812

DROP-OFF Defined for English Language Learners

drop-off

play

noun

Definition of drop-off for English Language Learners

: a very steep downward slope
: a very large decrease in level or amount
: the act of taking someone or something to a place and then leaving : the act of dropping someone or something off

Learn More about drop-off

See words that rhyme with drop-off Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for drop-off

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up drop-off? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

toothsome

play

agreeable, attractive, or delicious

BROWSE DICTIONARY

drop manhole

drop names

drop-off

drop off

drop one's eyes/head

Test Your Vocabulary

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Which of the following is a new sense of the word bunny?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59c52d6ee2f72

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

The word's origins are quite literal

alt-59c4207ecf106

Let's Talk 'Tea'

Spill it, sip it: just make it hot.

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

Common terms that come from boxing and wrestling

alt-59c2960017c94

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

When you push a meeting, where does it go?

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

young-plant-shoots

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

You're going to have to memorize the dictionary again.

Take the quiz

stylized-drawing-of-woman-pole-vaulting-across-gap-to-get-trophy

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

No tricks, just difficult words.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game

Examples: drop-off in a Sentence