What does off mean?
Off is one of English's most flexible spatial and functional words. As an adverb, it can mean away from a place or source, as in “set off early,” or no longer connected, operating, available, or scheduled, as in “switch the radio off” and “the meeting is off.” As a preposition it extends that idea of separation—“off the wall,” “take it off the table”—while as an adjective it describes something inactive, canceled, or removed. Off can also function as a verb meaning to switch off or, informally, to kill or dispose of. These uses share a central sense of separation, displacement, or cessation, but context determines the exact meaning. In conversation, off can sound casual, as in “off we go,” while formal notices often use it in expressions such as “the service is off” or “sales are off.” The word is also regionally neutral, though its standard pronunciation differs between British and American English. Its usefulness lies in this economy: one short word can mark physical distance, disconnection, non-operation, cancellation, removal, and the start of an action.
Away from or apart from a place, person, source, or activity; no longer connected, operating, available, or scheduled.
"The sign was taken down and the work stopped off."
The adverb often functions as the particle of a phrasal verb, as in switch off, take off, and set off.
From or away from a place, source, or position, especially with expressions of movement, removal, or support.
"He took a sheet of paper off the desk."
In informal American English, off of is sometimes used where off alone is standard in British English, but off of is not required.
Not on, operating, available, taking place, or connected; removed or canceled.
"The restaurant put the special off for the rest of the day."
To switch something off; informally, to kill or get rid of something.
"Please switch the lights off when you leave."
The kill or dispose-of sense is informal and is often euphemistic.
The plural is used in specialized cricket contexts for dismissals in the off position.
"The bowler's two deliveries resulted in offs."
Off does more than mean “not on”: it can send something away, disconnect it, cancel it, remove it, or signal the start of an action.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does off come from?
Off developed from Old English of, a preposition associated with the ideas “from” and “away,” and it acquired senses involving departure and separation in Middle English. The modern spellings off and of were differentiated to distinguish separation or movement from the preposition of, which relates things to one another. Related forms expressing movement away include Latin ab, Dutch af, and the Greek-derived prefix apo-.
Related word forms
How off is actually used
Off is commonly used as a phrasal-verb particle, as in switch off, take off, and set off, where its precise contribution may be grammatical rather than independently spatial. In informal British English, off can euphemistically mean killed, while off work and off duty are conventional in British usage and their American equivalents are usually on vacation or not on duty. The word is regionally neutral in meaning, although its standard pronunciation differs between British and American English.
Easily confused with off
Of relates one noun to another, as in “a cup of tea,” whereas off indicates separation, removal, disconnection, or non-operation, as in “take the lid off.”