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

• defer
• delay
• hold off (on)
• hold over
• hold up
• lay over
• postpone
• put over
• remit
• shelve

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

He’s been putting off hip replacement surgery, too, and uses a cane. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Still, some things are worth putting off, such as drawing trumps. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024

This grumbling wasn’t enough to put off aficionados and collectors, though. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024

Construction for a new cathedral in Charlotte was put off for more than 50 years. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024

But some retail experts suggest partnerships can also be a risky move, and one that can put off McDonald’s franchise owners, create communication hurdles and weaken the respective brand names. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024

Brian Clark, a Brown spokesman, said that some students were put off by a longer application with more essay questions. —Stephanie Saul, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

But officials plan to put off a companion regulation outlining the rights of trans athletes, according to people familiar with administration planning. —Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024

More and more parents are putting off vaccinations. —Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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