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

Alternatively, many towns hold drop-off days or offer year-round services for safely discarding chemicals and flammables. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2026

For busy parents who are juggling daycare drop-offs, commutes, and last-minute grocery runs, this convertible bag does it all. —Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026

Verb

Once the last flower drops off, the plant needs rest to recover its strength, and during that time, the leaf segments may look thin, dull, and saggy. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Feb. 2026

Thrift stores typically stock what’s been donated locally, so the inventory is entirely dependent on what people happen to drop off. —Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 21 Feb. 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