off-putting

American  

[awf-poot-ing, of-] / ˈɔfˌpʊt ɪŋ, ˈɒf- /

adjective

1. provoking uneasiness, dislike, annoyance, or repugnance; disturbing or disagreeable.

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off-putting British  

adjective

1. informal disconcerting or disturbing

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Other Word Forms

• off-puttingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of off-putting

1820–30; off + putting, after verb phrase put off

Explanation

If something's off-putting, it annoys or disgusts you. A waiter's bad breath might be off-putting, and the high prices on the menu might be equally off-putting. Off-putting things can seem unappealing, irritating, or downright horrifying. An off-putting movie trailer won't tempt you to see the film and an off-putting list of rules might keep you from signing up for a gym membership. In the sixteenth century, off-putting had a completely different meaning — basically "putting off," or "procrastinating." It wasn't until the late 1800s that it came to mean "creating an unfavorable impression."

Related Words

• abhorrent
• creepy
• distasteful
• hateful
• hideous
• nasty
• objectionable
• odious
• revolting
• ugly
• unpleasant
• vile