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

• 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

That can lead to deflation, or falling prices, that may prompt consumers to put off purchases, hobbling the economy. —Paul Davidson, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025

The retailer said homeowners have been focused on smaller, less expensive home repairs while putting off bigger projects because of high interest rates and continuing concerns about inflation. —Stan Choe, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2025

While becoming a family under one moniker can create cohesion for couples, the process of changing your name is a bit of a nightmare, prompting some couples to put off the legal change just to avoid paperwork. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2025

Late last month, President Donald Trump spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and agreed to put off threatened 30% tariffs for another 90 days to allow for negotiations. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

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