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

Both had offers on the table before this season but put off signing new deals. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

First, don’t be put off by the title. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026

Do you at all worry that someone could be put off by the dystopian feel of Hungry? —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 26 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, the city has put off issuing citations for parking violations. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 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