off-hour

American  

[awf-ouuhr, -ou-er, -ou^uhr, -ou-er, of-, awf-ouuhr, -ou-er, of-] / ˈɔfˈaʊər, -ˈaʊ ər, -ˌaʊər, -ˌaʊ ər, ˈɒf-, ˈɔfˈaʊər, -ˈaʊ ər, ˈɒf- /

noun

1. an hour or other period when a person is not at a job.

   I spend my off-hours reading.

2. a period outside of rush hours or greatest activity.

   I travel by subway during the off-hours.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or during an off-hour.

   The off-hour traffic will be lighter.

Etymology

Origin of off-hour

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

He has a narrow margin that he needs to spend every waking off-hour fundraising to preserve.

From Slate • Jun. 28, 2023

Other alternatives for those looking to hone their skills include off-hour deals: Buying weekday and nighttime lift tickets can cut costs.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 20, 2022

Low-income commuters who rely on public transit face many challenges—multiple transfers, long waits, and off-hour travel—that aren’t measured in the usual ridership surveys.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 6, 2021

The off-hour chumminess between reporters and the pitch-black joking of Fourth Estate members is well handled - and accurate.

From Washington Times • Nov. 7, 2018

There are off-hour trips to silent museums, where the boy tries and fails to walk through galleries as quietly as his instructor does, cringing when each footfall echoes.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern