off
off1 definition
off (ôf, äf)
adverb
- so as to be or keep away, at a distance, to a side, etc. to move off, to ward off
- so as to be measured, divided, etc. to pace off, to mark off
- so as to be no longer on, attached, united, covering, in contact, etc. take off your hat, the paint wore off
- (a specified distance) away:
- in space a town ten miles off
- in time a date two weeks off
- so as to be no longer in operation, function, continuance, etc. turn the motor off
- to the point of completion, extinction, or exhaustion drink it off
- so as to be less, smaller, fewer, etc. to allow 5% off for cash
- so as to lose consciousness to doze off
- away from one's work or usual activity to take a week off
Etymology: LME var. of of, of, later generalized for all occurrences of of in stressed positions
- (so as to be) no longer (or not) on, attached to, united with, covering, in contact with, etc. it blew off the desk; a car went off the road
- away from but not far from to live off campus, anchored off the lee shore
- from the substance of; on to live off an inheritance
- at the expense of
- coming or branching out from an alley off Main Street
- free or relieved from off duty
- not up to the usual level, standard, etc. of off one's game
- less than; taken from 25% off the regular price
- Informal no longer using, engaging in, supporting, etc.; abstaining from to be off liquor
- Informal from I bought it off a friend
adjective
- not on, attached, united, etc. his hat is off
- not in operation, function, continuance, etc. the motor is off
- gone away; on the way be off to bed
- less, smaller, fewer, etc. sales are off
- lower in value
- away from work, etc.; absent the maid is off today
- not up to what is usual, normal, standard, etc. an off day
- more remote; further on the off chance, the off side
- on the right side, facing forward: said of an animal in double harness, a wagon wheel, etc.
- in (specified) circumstances to be well off
- not correct; in error; wrong his figures are off
- Informal not quite normal in thinking, behavior, etc.; mildly eccentric
- Cricket designating the side of the field facing the batsman
noun
- the fact or condition of being off turn the switch from off to on
- Cricket the off side
transitive verb
Slang to kill; murder
interjection
go away; stay away
off Idioms
off and on
now and then; intermittently
off with!
put off!take off!remove!
off with you!
go away!depart!
off2 definition
off
- offered
- office
- officer
- official
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