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

Its shock-absorbing cushioning and deep heel cup make these supportive and great at putting off fatigue. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

The Running Man show itself, overseen by a silken Colman Domingo as host Bobby T, is presented as something like American Idol if, instead of singing, everyone were just trying to put off receiving a kill shot to the head for as long as possible. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

Not that long ago, Radar Online reported that Andrew was put off by his older sister’s positive reputation. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 11 Nov. 2025

Experts attribute the drop-off to rising costs and economic uncertainty, as Americans are increasingly putting off travel plans or opting for road trips over flights. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 5 Nov. 2025

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