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Definition of off
1a (1) : from a place or position march off; specifically : away from land ship stood off to sea (2) : at a distance in space or time stood 10 paces off a long way offb : from a course : aside turned off into a bypath; specifically : away from the wind The ship eased off a point or two.c : into an unconscious state dozed off
2a : so as to be separated from support rolled to the edge of the table and off or close contact blew the lid off the handle came offb : so as to be divided surface marked off into squares
3a : to a state of discontinuance or suspension shut off an engineb —used as an intensifier drink off a glass finish it off
4 : in absence from or suspension of regular work or service take time off for lunch
5 : offstage The actor turns and goes off.
From the M-W Editors
Examples of off in a Sentence
She put on her jacket and off she went.
The car turned off onto a side street.
Origin and Etymology of off
Middle English of, from Old English — more at of
off
Definition of off
1a —used as a function word to indicate physical separation or distance from a position of rest, attachment, or union take it off the table a path off the main walk a shop just off the main streetb : to seaward of two miles off shore
2 : from the possession or charge of had his wallet stolen off him
3 —used as a function word to indicate the object of an action borrowed a dollar off him dined off oysters
4a —used as a function word to indicate the suspension of an occupation or activity off duty off liquorb : below the usual standard or level of off his game
Examples of off in a Sentence
She is still living off her parents.
The family lives off welfare.
They live off the land.
They make their living off tourism.
Origin and Etymology of off
see 1off
off
Definition of off
1a : seawardb : rightc : more removed or distant the off side of the building
2a : started on the way off on a spreeb : not taking place or staying in effect : canceled the deal was offc : not operatingd : not placed so as to permit operation
3a : not corresponding to fact : incorrect off in his reckoningb : poor, subnormalc : not entirely sane : eccentricd : remote, slight an off chance
4a : spent off duty reading on his off daysb : marked by a periodic decline in activity or business traveled in the off season for lower prices
5a : off-colorb : inferior off grade of oil; also : affected with putrefactionc : down stocks were off
6 : circumstanced worse off
Examples of off in a Sentence
The lever is in the off position.
He is off playing golf.
She is off on a trip.
Recent Examples of off from the Web
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Amid all of the day’s cynicism, rediscover the hope of 19-year-old Ruth Kwall, writing one day after the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor, upon realizing that her fiancé, Joseph Portnoy, would soon be off to war.
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The apartment was dark and empty, mostly clean, with a broom and dustpan sitting on the off-white tile floors.
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The addition brings the total number of states on California's travel ban to eight, with Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee placed on the off-limits list earlier this year.
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Mitchell, traditionally an off-guard, even played some point guard as U of L battled through injuries to starting frontman Quentin Snider and backup Tony Hicks.
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Ruth A. Batey, 46, of the Miller section of Gary, had been hired by Shane and Robin Bolde after Shane Bolde was injured in a car crash in March 2014 and was off work and placed on workman's compensation, the probable cause affidavit states.
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The victim motioned to an off-duty bouncer filling up at the gas station, told him her name and that she had been kidnapped.
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In addition, up to four accompanying guests will receive 50 percent off admission.
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Criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller used to be off limits.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'off'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of off
see 1off
off
Definition of off
Examples of off in a Sentence
The movie is about a gangster who gets power by offing his rivals.
the hit man bragged that he'd offed at least three people in the last year alone
Recent Examples of off from the Web
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And Bron's been in this league for a while now, and he's seen every which way from on the court, to off the court, to dealing with some of you guys, to dealing with the whole world of just choosing a side.
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Tapping openers H.E.R. and producer Metro Boomin', Tiller's Set It Off tour will start Aug. 3 at Atlanta's Fox Theatre and wrap on Sept. 16 in the singer's native Louisville, Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center.
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Off a turnover, Real Madrid proved lethal, with Isco feeding a streaking Ronaldo with a through ball.
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Cardinals: Off to their worst start in six years for three basic reasons:
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After the phone call ended, Hoft and Wintrich took an elevator down to Off the Record.
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And apparently pangolins and porcupines get along fine without offing members of their own species.
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But many performers spend much of their careers Off or Off Off Broadway, where salaries are considerably lower.)
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'off'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of off
see 1off
off
Definition of off
office; officer; official
-off
Definition of -off
: competition : contest bake-off
Origin and Etymology of -off
runoff
OFF Defined for English Language Learners
off
playDefinition of off for English Language Learners
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: away from a place
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: away from a main road, path, etc.
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: at a distance in time or space
off
Definition of off for English Language Learners
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—used to indicate separation, distance, or removal from someone or something
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: on money, food, energy, etc., supplied by (someone or something)
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—used to indicate something that someone is no longer doing or using
off
Definition of off for English Language Learners
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: not attached to or covering something : not on
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: not operating, functioning, or flowing
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: in a position that stops the flow of electricity, water, etc.
off
Definition of off for English Language Learners
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: to kill or murder (someone)
OFF Defined for Kids
Definition of off for Students
1 : from a place or position He got angry and marched off.
2 : from a course : aside The driver turned off onto a side street.
3 : so as not to be supported, covering or enclosing, or attached I jumped off. The lid blew off. The handle fell off.
4 : so as to be discontinued or finished Turn the radio off. The couple paid off their debts.
5 : away from work I took the day off.
Definition of off for Students
1 : away from the surface or top of Take those books off the table.
2 : at the expense of I lived off my parents.
3 : released or freed from The officer was off duty.
4 : below the usual level of We can save a dollar off the price.
5 : away from The hotel is just off the highway.
Definition of off for Students
1 : not operating or flowing The radio is off. The electricity is off.
2 : not attached to or covering The lid is off.
3 : started on the way They're off on a trip.
4 : not taking place The game is off.
5 : not correct : wrong Your guess is way off.
6 : not as good as usual He's having an off day.
7 : provided for His family is well off.
8 : small in degree : slight There's an off chance I'll win.
Learn More about off
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See words that rhyme with off Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for off Spanish Central: Translation of off Nglish: Translation of off for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of off for Arabic speakers
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