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• drop-off
  drop-off

  noun

  a vertical or very steep descent.
• drop off
  drop off

  verb

  (intr) to grow smaller or less; decline

drop-off

American  

[drop-awf, -of] / ˈdrɒpˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

drop-offs plural

1. a vertical or very steep descent.

   The trail has a drop-off of several hundred feet.

2. a decline; decrease.

   Sales have shown a considerable drop-off this year.

3. a place where a person or thing can be left, received, accommodated, etc..

   a new drop-off for outpatients.

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adjective

1. applied when a rented vehicle is left elsewhere than at the point of hire.

   to pay a drop-off charge.

drop off British  

verb

1. (intr) to grow smaller or less; decline

2. (tr) to allow to alight; set down

3. informal (intr) to fall asleep

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noun

1. a steep or vertical descent

2. a sharp decrease

drop off Idioms  

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

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

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

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• drop-offs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of drop-off

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

Example Sentences

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates $36 billion to $43 billion will be needed to improve recycling curbside collection, drop-off, and processing infrastructure by 2030.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

“Consumer Reports treats trips with the same pickup and drop-off points as identical. They are not,” said Uber spokesperson Ryan Thornton.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

Other numbers in Friday’s report show the drop-off on audits of corporations, as well.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

With Wembanyama on the court, the Thunder made just 36.9% of their shots—a nearly 22-point drop-off from when he sat on the bench.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Parents in the drop-off lane are giving their kids motivational speeches.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• diminish
• dwindle
• fall away
• fall off
• lessen
• sag
• slacken