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tee off

verb

teed off; teeing off; tees off

intransitive verb

1
: to drive from a tee
2
3
: to hit hard
4
: to make an angry denunciation
often used with on

Examples of tee off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Clark teed off Wednesday morning alongside Dan Towriss and Jordan Jackson. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025 The movie tees off the summer box office on May 1 next year. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025 That two guys were waiting on him illustrated how safe defenses — and the Rams’ is the best defense in football — feel to lock in and tee off on McCaffrey. Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 This will be the second straight week that the Boise State defense can try to tee off on a green quarterback. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tee off

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tee off was in 1895

Cite this Entry

“Tee off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tee%20off. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

tee off

verb
1
: to hit a golf ball from a tee in starting play on a hole
2

More from Merriam-Webster on tee off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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