the off

noun

British
1
: the beginning of a race
2
: the very beginning
Right from the off, I knew she was against me.

Examples of the 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.
Outperforming some of them on the pitch is one thing, but Newcastle cannot yet overcome the off-field strength of the ‘Big Six’. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025 Gen Z isn't settling for traditionally budget-friendly destinations—they're choosing iconic, culture-rich cities during the off-season. Acacia Gabriel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025 New Sasquatch package increases the off-road ability of Bronco Sport’s Badlands and Outer Banks trim levels. Mark Phelan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 On the off-day between the Yankees' series in Chicago and Houston, manager Aaron Boone was in Chapel Hill, watching as the Tar Heels were waxed 48-14 by the TCU Horned Frogs in Bill Belichick's debut as UNC's head coach. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for the off

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20off. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!