off
gb/ˈɔf/ us/ˈɔf/
A1
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A1
state
1
Not working or operating
Not working because it is not turned on.
Usage pattern:
[device] is off
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'off' with 'out' when talking about lights or devices, but 'off' refers to the power state.
Synonyms
inactive (More formal and general; can apply to people, systems, or devices.)
Antonyms
on (Indicates that a device or system is operating or active.)
Collocations
turned off
|switch off
|completely off
|power off
Themes
daily life
|technology
|daily_life
Examples
- The lights are off because no one is home.
- Please make sure your phone is off during the movie.
- The computer was off all night to save energy.
Learner examples
- The TV is off.
- My phone is off.
- The light is off.
preposition
A1
relation
2
Away from a surface or object
Used to show that something moves away from a surface or object.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] get off [surface/object]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'off' with 'of' in writing; 'off' is about separation or movement away.
Synonyms
down from (Specifies downward movement from an elevated position.)
Antonyms
onto (Indicates movement toward and onto a surface.)
Collocations
fall off
|jump off
|take off
|get off
Themes
daily life
|movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She fell off her bike.
- Please take your feet off the table.
- He jumped off the wall into the pool.
Learner examples
- I fell off my chair.
- Take the book off the desk.
- Get off the bus here.
adjective
informal
A2
state
3
Cancelled or not happening
Used when something planned will not happen.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'off' meaning cancelled with 'off' meaning turned off; context makes the difference.
Synonyms
cancelled (Neutral and formal; commonly used in official communication.)
Antonyms
on (Indicates that an event will proceed as planned.)
Collocations
meeting is off
|game is off
|plans are off
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|time
Examples
- The wedding is off due to family disagreements.
- Our meeting is off because the manager is sick.
- The trip is off until further notice.
Learner examples
- The party is off.
- The game is off today.
- Our lunch is off.
adverb
informal
B1
property
4
Incorrect or inaccurate
Wrong or not exact.
Synonyms
wrong (More direct and general; 'off' is often softer or casual.)
Antonyms
accurate (Correct and precise in detail.)
Collocations
way off
|a bit off
|miles off
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Your guess was way off.
- That measurement seems a bit off.
- You're slightly off in your calculations.
Learner examples
- My guess was off.
- That answer is off.
- Your number is off.
adjective
informal
A2
property
5
Spoiled or bad (food)
Not good to eat because it is old or bad.
Synonyms
spoiled (Neutral term for food that has gone bad.)
Antonyms
fresh (Recently made or picked; still good to eat.)
Collocations
milk is off
|smells off
|gone off
Themes
food
|food_drink
|health
Examples
- The milk smells off; don't drink it.
- This meat tastes a bit off.
- The fish has gone off in the heat.
Learner examples
- The milk is off.
- The meat is off.
- This food is off.
Grammar
Expressions
day off
1/dˈeɪ ˈɔf/
fixed phrase
Day without work/study duties
A day when you do not go to work or school.
Examples
- I'm taking a day off tomorrow to rest.
- She has Fridays off this month.
go off
1/ɡˈoʊ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Make noise/explode suddenly
To make a loud noise suddenly, like an alarm, gun, or bomb.
Examples
- The alarm went off at 6 a.m.
- The bomb went off in the distance.
put off
1/pˈʊt ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Delay doing something
To do something at a later time instead of now.
Examples
- We had to put off the meeting until next week.
- Don't put off your homework until the last minute.
- Don't put it off any longer; do it now.
take off
4/tˈeɪk ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Begin flight / become successful quickly
For planes: to start flying. For people/things: to become popular or successful very fast.
Examples
- The plane will take off in ten minutes.
- Her career really took off after that movie.
- We watched the helicopter take off from the field.
turn off
1/tˈɚn ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Switch off a device or system
To stop a machine, light, or device from working.
Examples
- Please turn off the lights when you leave.
- Turn off the oven before leaving.
- He turned off the engine before getting out.
- She turned off her phone during the meeting.