off-color

adjective

off-col·​or ˈȯf-ˈkə-lər How to pronounce off-color (audio)
variants or off-colored
1
a
: not having the right or standard color
b
: being out of sorts
2
a
: of doubtful propriety : dubious
b
: verging on the indecent
off-color remarks

Examples of off-color in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Those off-color cover versions make for one of the more outrageous bits in a film that rarely takes its ostensibly offensive routines far enough. Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 The prize endorsement came from Paul McCartney, whose pitch was to-the-point and surprisingly off-color. Paul Grein, Billboard, 1 Mar. 2024 In Las Vegas casinos, expect adult humor and off-color jokes. Emily Latimer, Longreads, 25 Jan. 2024 Now entering its 15th season, the current judges are Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, with Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond serving as hosts/presenters, providing (occasionally off-color) commentary. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2023 Inevitably, Uncle Joe makes some off-color political comments, Grandpa falls asleep at the table, and the kids ask impatiently if they can be excused. Kayla Bartsch, National Review, 23 Nov. 2023 Men who introduce themselves with off-color jokes, like young Matty (Toby Wallace, a standout in Babyteeth, once again excellent at being an off-putting dirtbag from some angles and a dreamboat from others), turn out to be great fun in the light of day. Vulture, 6 Oct. 2023 The gifts are usually a little bit off-color, though not always. Jasmine Gomez, Women's Health, 1 Aug. 2023 Your containers also need drainage holes in the bottom or water can back up in the pots and cause your plants to stop growing with off-color foliage. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off-color.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-color was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near off-color

Cite this Entry

“Off-color.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-color. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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