off-duty
adjective
not engaged in the performance of one's usual work.
off-duty
American
[awf-doo-tee, -dyoo-, of-]
/ ˈɔfˈdu ti, -ˈdyu-, ˈɒf- /
adjective
-
not engaged in the performance of one's usual work.
an off-duty police officer.
-
of, relating to, or during a period when a person is not at work.
off duty
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of off-duty
First recorded in 1850–55
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The ceasefire definitely soothes our nerves, hoping it stays this way. The crew is finally taking a breather," an off-duty captain of a ship, whose crew is stranded off Qatar, told AFP.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
She is currently off-duty owing to the school holidays, but will be at the crossing as "back-up" on Thursday to support Reg through his last patrol.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Lyons answered no, but as Pou and other Democratic representatives pointed out, this has not been borne out by the reality on the ground; even off-duty officers have recently been profiled by ICE.
From Slate • Feb. 11, 2026
Prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed, in a motion filed by Delcid’s attorney, not to disclose to jurors that Solorio was an off-duty police officer, since it was not considered a factor in the crime.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026
A bunch of off-duty East German police were drinking beer at the bar.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
