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

The bitter taste discourages some animals, and others are put off by the smell. —Joan Morris, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026

The Board members agreed with Bradley in the brief discussion that followed and subsequently voted unanimously to put off consideration until the next meeting. —Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, Ukraine’s birth rate is collapsing, with increasing number of people struggling with fertility or putting off the decision to have children. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026

The two safety net systems can expect a deluge of patient who have put off seeking care for fear of incurring huge debt. —Arthur E. Palamara, Sun Sentinel, 22 Feb. 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