turnoff

1 of 2

noun

turn·​off ˈtərn-ˌȯf How to pronounce turnoff (audio)
1
: a place where one turns off
especially : exit sense 4
2
: one that causes loss of interest or enthusiasm
the music was a turnoff
3
: a turning off

turn off

2 of 2

verb

turned off; turning off; turns off

transitive verb

1
: to stop the flow of or shut off by or as if by turning a control
turn the water off
2
: to cause to lose interest : bore
economics turns me off
also : to evoke a negative feeling in
3
b
: to dispose of : sell
4
5
6
7
a
: to remove (material) by the process of turning
b
: to shape or produce by turning

intransitive verb

1
: to deviate from a straight course or from a main road
turn off into a side road
2
a
British : to turn bad : spoil
b
: to change to a specified state : become
3
: to lose interest : withdraw

Examples of turnoff in a Sentence

Noun His strong cologne was a real turnoff. Verb that memorably bad meal turned me off about restaurant food for a while turn off at the third exit and follow the ramp to your left
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Many homeowners might be tempted to tap into their equity and borrow against their homes, maybe to do a bathroom remodel, but the interest rates could be a turnoff. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024 Related article Manila’s traffic is so bad Coldplay wrote a song about it China’s infamous censorship laws can also be a major turnoff for Western acts. Heather Chen, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024 Interestingly, the second-biggest financial turnoff differed for men and women. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2023 Turn right and go 2 miles to the turnoff for Forest Road 152/Dry Creek trailhead on the right and continue a short distance to the parking area. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024 Who are these slobs?) 35% found plastic utensils and dinnerware a turnoff. Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2024 Cold Spring Tavern Old Hollywood and a ranch that razors built The off-piste adventure begins by exiting the 101/Ventura Freeway in Calabasas, at the Valley Circle turnoff. Eric A. Taub, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2023 Arden Cove Carmel Convertible Backpack and Crossbody: While the crossbody option was nice, the straps were uncomfortable and the fabric tore easily—two turnoffs, especially considering the price. Chris Abell, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2024 Chief Critics The Academy has tried to save its ceremony in recent years from declining viewership, and some inside and out of the Academy reportedly fear the ceremony’s political moments have been a turnoff for viewers. Conor Murray, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Verb
The response caused some House offices to turn off their phones, according to news reports. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The scenic setting and propulsive pace are effective cues to turn off one’s brain, but the emotional foundation is solid enough for its central family to resonate as real people, however soapy their struggles may seem. Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Some involve inaccurate threats to turn off power or ruses to lease or sell solar power systems. The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024 However, some of Target’s strategies have turned off customers, Saunders warned. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Line that’s too heavy can make small offerings look unnatural in the water, and trout are often turned off by unnatural presentations. Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 7 Mar. 2024 Biden could lose the election if enough people are turned off by the complicated calculations of gamification, and choose to vote for a third-party candidate or just stay home. Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The video footage was captured after the bus’ surveillance system was altered to keep recording in the event that it was manually turned off, according to the information. Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 Typically, GoFundMe hides campaigns that are being reviewed and turns off the ability for the public to donate. Mia Sato, The Verge, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turnoff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1852, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of turnoff was in 1564

Dictionary Entries Near turnoff

Cite this Entry

“Turnoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnoff. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

turnoff

1 of 2 noun
turn·​off ˈtər-ˌnȯf How to pronounce turnoff (audio)
1
: a place where one turns off (as from a road)
2
: something that causes loss of interest or enjoyment
the music was a turnoff

turn off

2 of 2 verb
ˌtər-ˈnȯf,
ˈtər-
1
: to turn aside
turned off onto a side road
2
: to stop by or as if by turning a control
turn off the light
turn the alarm off
3
: to cause dislike or loss of interest
that sort of thing turns me off
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!