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

Or will the scandal, just three years gone, put off fans of her progressive policies? —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

People may put off taking action, question their gut feelings, or settle for mediocre responses. —Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026

These Zendaya fans also have been put off by Sweeney’s desire to be seen at Jeff Bezos’s wedding last June and her choice to pursue a romantic relationship with the divisive — and 16 years older — entertainment mogul Scooter Braun. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026

Dilapidated buildings and decaying signage may put off the casual observer. —Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 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