put off

verb

put off; putting off; puts off

transitive verb

1

a

: disconcert

b

: repel

2

a

: to hold back to a later time

b

: to induce to wait

put the bill collector off

3

: to rid oneself of : take off

4

: to sell or pass fraudulently

Synonyms of put off

• postpone
• delay
• put over
• defer

Examples of put off in a Sentence

never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

put off your coat and stay awhile

Recent Examples on the Web

Lower East Side handyman Raymond, meanwhile, was put off by the prices. — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 7 Aug. 2026

Depending on the severity of a partial UCL tear, rehab and strengthening the muscles around the elbow can sometimes at least put off surgery. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

By agreeing to put off the merger for now, Paramount doesn’t have to face a potential courtroom loss over attorneys generals’ longer-term restraining order, for example. — Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

But one bad season at Liverpool will not put off suitors across Europe in the times ahead. — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for put off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

put off

verb

1

: to cause negative feelings in

your sloppy appearance put them off

2

: to hold back to a later time : defer

put off my visit to the dentist

3

: to rid oneself of

put off your coat