off-road

[awf-rohd, of-]

adjective

1. designed, built, or used for traveling off public roads, especially on unpaved roads, trails, beaches, or rough terrain.

   an off-road vehicle.

2. taking place on such roads or terrain.

   off-road racing.

3. used for or suitable to an off-road vehicle.

   off-road tires.

adverb

1. on a road or terrain other than a public road.

   to travel off-road.

off-road

adjective

1. (of a motor vehicle) designed or built for use away from public roads, esp on rough terrain

Word History and Origins

Origin of off-road¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Visitors to California’s Joshua Tree National Park littered, camped illegally, drove off-road and even cut down some trees, park advocates say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The only difference between what we would consider on-road versus off-road is that it’s not paved.

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On a recent Saturday night in the shoebox-size kitchen, she spent hours deftly tossing ingredients into the steaming pan for hungry hikers, off-road jeepers, rock climbers and national parkgoers — alongside locals and longtime customers who are drawn to the hospitable owners just as much as they are to the flavorful dishes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They say the airspace restrictions could prevent rescue helicopters from evacuating injured motorists, and threaten the famed King of the Hammers off-road race that’s held there each year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“It feels like it’s literally just another way for them to take the land, but from above,” said Shannon Welch, vice president of the off-road group Blue Ribbon Coalition.

Read more on Los Angeles Times