Idioms about off
Origin of off
usage note for off
Other definitions for off (2 of 3)
Other definitions for off (3 of 3)
WORDS THAT USE -OFF
What does -off mean?
The suffix –off is used to denote a competition, specifically a final match between two contestants. It is occasionally used in informal terms, especially in sports. In many instances, –off is separated with a hyphen, as in face-off.
The form –off comes from the Middle English of, a preposition with a variety of meanings.
Examples of -off
One example of a word that features the form –off to denote a competition is runoff, “a final contest held to determine a victor after earlier contests have eliminated the weaker contestants.”
In this expression, run refers literally to moving quickly, as in a foot race. As we have seen, –off denotes a competition, particularly a final match between two contestants. Runoff literally means “a final competitive race.”
What are some words that use the combining form –off?
What are some other forms that –off may be commonly confused with?
Many words that end with the exact letters –off, such as putoff or spin-off, are not necessarily using the combining forming –off to denote “competition.” Learn why spin-off means “adaptation” at our entry for the word.
Break it down!
Given the meaning of –off, what is a flyoff?