off

noun

(usually in phrases such as 'from the off', 'at the off', etc.) Beginning; starting point.

verb

(transitive, slang) To kill.

(transitive, Singapore, Philippines, Nigeria) To switch off.

adjective

(predicative only) Inoperative, disabled.

(predicative only) Cancelled; not happening.

Not fitted; not being worn.

Denoting something faulty, unsatisfactory, objectionable etc.

Not correct; not properly formed; not logical, harmonious, etc.

(predicative only) Inappropriate; untoward.

Less than normal, in temperament or in result.

(in phrases such as 'off day') Designating a time when one is not performing to the best of one's abilities.

(chiefly UK) Rancid, rotten, gone bad.

(by extension, Australia, slang) Disgusting, repulsive, abhorrent.

(in phrases such as 'well off', 'poorly off', 'comfortably off', etc., and in 'how?' questions) Circumstanced.

Started on the way.

Far; off to the side.

Temporarily not attending a usual place, such as work or school, especially owing to illness or holiday.

Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from a post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent.

(predicative only) Presently unavailable. (of a dish on a menu)

(British, in relation to a vehicle) On the side furthest from the kerb (the right-hand side if one drives on the left).

(cricket) In, or towards the half of the field away from the batsman's legs; the right side for a right-handed batsman.

adverb

In a direction away from the speaker or other reference point.

Into a state of non-operation or non-existence.

So as to remove or separate, or be removed or separated.

(theater) Offstage.

Used in various other ways specific to individual idiomatic phrases, e.g. bring off, show off, put off, tell off, etc. See the entry for the individual phrase.

Synonyms for off

awayadv turnedadj outn downadv forthadv from hitv overn

Synonyms & related words for off

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Words related to off

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Synonyms for off

Common synonyms for off include away, turned, out, down, forth, from, hit, over — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.