on-off

adjective

1
: used to turn something on and off
an on-off switch
2
: relating to something that is sometimes on and sometimes off
a switch set to a random on-off pattern

Examples of on-off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That was until news broke of fresh domestic violence allegations on-off partner Dakota Mortensen made against her. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026 Johnson split from Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin in June 2025, which ended an on-off relationship between the pair that began in 2017. Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026 There was finally, after over a decade of on-off pressure from teams, a realisation within the UCI that professional cycling was too confusing to follow for both newcomers and even seasoned followers. Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026 In the show, Lucy and Stephen are an on-off couple whose relationship devolves into a series of dark secrets and manipulations. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on-off

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on-off. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster