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

Hospitals have had to put off non-life threatening surgeries. —Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026

Put it in writing Today, many Americans take the fundamental right to refuse unwanted treatments for granted and put off planning for life’s end. —Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026

Tony Jefferson put off retirement for another season, agreeing Tuesday to return to the Chargers on a one-season contract reportedly worth $2 million. —Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026

Even those who wait until ages 33 to 37 have $59,000 more in net wealth by age 50 than those who put off buying a home. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 17 Mar. 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