drop-off

[ drop-awf, -of ]

/ ˈdrɒpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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See synonyms for drop-off on Thesaurus.com

noun

a vertical or very steep descent: The trail has a drop-off of several hundred feet.

a decline; decrease: Sales have shown a considerable drop-off this year.

a place where a person or thing can be left, received, accommodated, etc.: a new drop-off for outpatients.

adjective

applied when a rented vehicle is left elsewhere than at the point of hire: to pay a drop-off charge.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of drop-off

First recorded in 1955–60; noun, adj. use of verb phrase drop off

Words nearby drop-off

drop like a hot potato, drop like flies, dropline, drop lock, drop names, drop-off, dropout, droppage, drop pass, dropped egg, dropped seat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use drop-off in a sentence

Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A passing off-duty school safety officer named Fred Lucas said that he had been told the man was a drug dealer.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During an emergency that ratio could be allowed to drop to 8.5 people per orbit.
Exclusive: U.S. Drone Fleet at ‘Breaking Point,’ Air Force Says|Dave Majumdar|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But with the pipeline, transportation costs drop and production would be higher.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Jan. 4|PunditFact.com|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The NOPD fired Knight in 1973 for stealing lumber from a construction site as an off-duty cop.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Before he could finish the sentence the Hole-keeper said snappishly, "Well, drop out again—quick!"
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
A far-off volley rumbled over the plain, and a few birds stirred uneasily among the trees.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
At a quarter past seven he took his leave and we let drop our anchor where we were, off Cape Tekke.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Now and then he touched one with his long and sallow fingers, lifted its cover, then let it drop mechanically.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
In fact, on the palm a small drop of blood showed distinctly against the firm, pink flesh.
Uncanny Tales|Various

British Dictionary definitions for drop-off

drop off

verb (adverb)

(intr) to grow smaller or less; decline

(tr) to allow to alight; set down

(intr) informal to fall asleep

noun drop-off

a steep or vertical descent

a sharp decrease

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with drop-off

drop off

Fall asleep, as in When I looked at Grandma, she had dropped off. [Early 1800s]

Decrease; also, become less frequent. For example, Sales have dropped off markedly, or Over the year her visits dropped off. [Early 1800s]

Deliver, unload, as in Bill dropped off the package at the office.

Die, as in He is so ill he could drop off any time. [Early 1800s]