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

Noun

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

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

Lee figures to be the primary shortstop in Correa’s absence, which could lead to a drop-off there and at second base, where Lee had been playing. —Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 19 May 2025

The project’s exterior includes rooftop solar panels, as well as an outdoor workspace, entry plaza, drop-off areas and landscaping. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 16 May 2025

Verb

Liverpool can drastically drop off and look disjointed, but then find a second wind and finish with a flurry. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 May 2025

While employee real wages and spending power dropped off, Kroger and Albertsons’ sales and profits skyrocketed. —Errol Schweizer, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1923, 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