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

SoftBank’s energy business and nuclear company Holtec put off their listings after investors balked, The New York Times reported. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2026

For many, the little treat brings back memories of romantic summer evenings (even if some are put off by the long lines of tourists at Luini’s today). — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026

Realtors say higher interest rates on mortgages, combined with inflation more broadly, are persuading some people to put off buying homes. — Maya Huter, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026

After three hours of deliberations, the council voted to put off a decision on the conditional use permit and design review application. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 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