1
a(1)
: from a place or position
march off
specifically
: away from land
ship stood off to sea
(2)
: at a distance in space or time
stood 10 paces off
a long way off
b
: from a course : aside
turned off into a bypath
specifically
: away from the wind
The ship eased off a point or two.
c
: into an unconscious state
dozed off
2
a
: so as to be separated from support
rolled to the edge of the table and off
or close contact
blew the lid off
the handle came off
b
: so as to be divided
surface marked off into squares
3
a
: to a state of discontinuance or suspension
shut off an engine
b
—used as an intensifier
drink off a glass
finish it off
4
: in absence from or suspension of regular work or service
take time off for lunch
5
: offstage
The actor turns and goes off.
1
a
—used as a function word to indicate physical separation or distance from a position of rest, attachment, or union
take it off the table
a path off the main walk
a shop just off the main street
b
: to seaward of
two miles off shore
2
: from the possession or charge of
had his wallet stolen off him
3
—used as a function word to indicate the object of an action
borrowed a dollar off him
dined off oysters
4
a
—used as a function word to indicate the suspension of an occupation or activity
off duty
off liquor
b
: below the usual standard or level of
off his game
2
a
: started on the way
off on a spree
b
: not taking place or staying in effect : canceled
the deal was off
c
: not operating
d
: not placed so as to permit operation
3
4
a
: spent off duty
reading on his off days
b
: marked by a periodic decline in activity or business
traveled in the off season for lower prices
5
6
: circumstanced
worse off
office; officer; official
ˌȯf
: competition : contest
cook-off
dance-off
Examples of off in a Sentence
Adverb
She put on her jacket and off she went.
The car turned off onto a side street.
Preposition
She is still living off her parents.
The family lives off welfare.
They live off the land.
They make their living off tourism.
Adjective
The lever is in the off position.
He is off playing golf.
She is off on a trip.
Verb
The movie is about a gangster who gets power by offing his rivals.
the hit man was rumored to have offed at least three people in the last year alone
Recent Examples on the Web
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
It's been kind of an on-again and off-again project.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Cabrales-Arzola ordered a ride-hailing service just 35 minutes after entering the apartment, but neither of the women left until Pearce carried them out the following afternoon and dropped them off at different hospitals.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
And then the third Wednesday is an off week.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
Even after people start getting offed, the film’s sense of urgency remains mild.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for off
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
And unlike pricier Dyson or Shark models, this lightweight powerhouse covers all the same bases for $150—now 25% off ahead of Black Friday.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025
It's been kind of an on-again and off-again project.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Preposition
There to see Lajo off, Hamida meets her brother for the first time since her own abduction.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
Cabrales-Arzola ordered a ride-hailing service just 35 minutes after entering the apartment, but neither of the women left until Pearce carried them out the following afternoon and dropped them off at different hospitals.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
On the right side of the room, a steel cut image is projected from the wall with fiberglass rods arranged in an off center trapezoid.
—Mario Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
And then the third Wednesday is an off week.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
Although Prater has a rule against his guests offing one another, Dexter can’t help himself.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2025
Even after people start getting offed, the film’s sense of urgency remains mild.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for off
Cite this Entry
“Off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
off
1 of 3 adverb1
a
: from a place or position
march off
stood 10 paces off
drove the dogs off
b
: from a course : aside
turned off onto a side street
c
: into an unconscious state
dozed off
2
: so as to be separated from support or close contact
rolled to the edge of the table and off
the handle came off
3
: so as to be divided
surface marked off into squares
4
: so as to be stopped or finished
shut off an engine
a coat of paint to finish it off
5
: away from work
took the day off
off
2 of 3 preposition(ˈ)ȯf
1
: away from the surface, position, or place of
take it off the table
the ball bounced off the wall
a path off the main road
2
—used to indicate the object of an action
borrowed a dollar off him
living off my parents
3
a
: released or freed from
off duty
b
: below the usual level of
off her game
a dollar off the price
off
3 of 3 adjective(ˈ)ȯf
1
a
: not left : right
the off horse
b
: more distant
the off side of the building
2
: started on the way
off on a trip
they're off and running
3
a
: not taking place
the game is off
b
: not operating
the radio is off
4
5
: being not as busy as usual
liked to vacation during the off season
6
a
: not very good : poor
an off grade of oil
b
: below or down from the normal
stocks were off
offered at 15% off
7
: provided for or taken care of
we were better off before
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