off

1 of 6

adverb

1
a(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 off
b
: 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
2
a
: 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 off
b
: so as to be divided
surface marked off into squares
3
a
: to a state of discontinuance or suspension
shut off an engine
b
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.

off

2 of 6

preposition

1
a
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 street
b
: 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
4
a
used as a function word to indicate the suspension of an occupation or activity
off duty
off liquor
b
: below the usual standard or level of
off his game

off

3 of 6

adjective

1
a
b
: right
c
: more removed or distant
the off side of the building
2
a
: started on the way
off on a spree
b
: not taking place or staying in effect : canceled
the deal was off
c
: not operating
d
: not placed so as to permit operation
3
a
: not corresponding to fact : incorrect
off in his reckoning
c
: not entirely sane : eccentric
d
: remote, slight
an off chance
4
a
: spent off duty
reading on his off days
b
: marked by a periodic decline in activity or business
traveled in the off season for lower prices
5
a
b
: inferior
off grade of oil
also : affected with putrefaction
c
: down
stocks were off
6
: circumstanced
worse off

off

4 of 6

verb

offed; offing; offs

intransitive verb

: to go away : depart
used chiefly as an imperative
Off, or I'll shoot!

off

5 of 6

abbreviation

office; officer; official

-off

6 of 6

noun combining form

ˌȯf
: competition : contest
cook-off
dance-off

Examples of off in a Sentence

Adverb She put on her jacket and off she went. The car turned off onto a side street. Preposition She is still living off her parents. The family lives off welfare. They live off the land. They make their living off tourism. Adjective The lever is in the off position. He is off playing golf. She is off on a trip. Verb The movie is about a gangster who gets power by offing his rivals. the hit man was rumored to have offed at least three people in the last year alone
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
The district has off for Thanksgiving from Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 27-29. Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 28 Sep. 2024 The best part is that this playfully haunted wreath is currently on sale for 33% off. Jenna Clark, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2024
Preposition
In fact, even millionaires don’t always feel well off financially, according to recent data from Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning & Progress study. Cheyenne Devon, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2024 Soaring a couple hundred feet off the ground, alone in a small aircraft with no piloting experience, sounds like a nightmare to some. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2024
Adjective
On an off day, the team took a trip to Roosevelt Dam. Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024 The Rams then will have the benefit of an off week. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024
Verb
Related Video Emma Roberts’s Tote and Purse are Filled With All Her Summer Essentials–Plus a Sweet Treat Sometimes, though, horror stars play into lurid sexuality—a nod to offed characters past. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 16 July 2024 Thus, Rugged Man Seann William Scott is in a battle for his life that ends when a kindly older woman (Dolly De Leon) succeeds in offing him and thereby is greeted by Johnny Grand (Murray Hill), the flashy emcee of the lottery who arrives at her doorstep with a check for $22 million. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for off 

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

Word History

Etymology

Adverb, Preposition, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English of, from Old English — more at of

Noun combining form

runoff

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1717, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of off was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near off

Cite this Entry

“Off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

off

1 of 3 adverb
1
a
: from a place or position
march off
stood 10 paces off
drove the dogs off
b
: from a course : aside
turned off onto a side street
c
: into an unconscious state
dozed off
2
: so as to be separated from support or close contact
rolled to the edge of the table and off
the handle came off
3
: so as to be divided
surface marked off into squares
4
: so as to be stopped or finished
shut off an engine
a coat of paint to finish it off
5
: away from work
took the day off

off

2 of 3 preposition
(ˈ)ȯf
1
: away from the surface, position, or place of
take it off the table
the ball bounced off the wall
a path off the main road
2
used to indicate the object of an action
borrowed a dollar off him
living off my parents
3
a
: released or freed from
off duty
b
: below the usual level of
off her game
a dollar off the price

off

3 of 3 adjective
(ˈ)ȯf
1
a
: not left : right
the off horse
b
: more distant
the off side of the building
2
: started on the way
off on a trip
they're off and running
3
a
: not taking place
the game is off
b
: not operating
the radio is off
4
a
: not correct : wrong
these numbers are off
your guess is way off
b
: not entirely sane
c
: small in degree : slight
an off chance
5
: being not as busy as usual
liked to vacation during the off season
6
a
: not very good : poor
an off grade of oil
b
: below or down from the normal
stocks were off
offered at 15% off
7
: provided for or taken care of
we were better off before

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