off-road

American

[awf-rohd, of-] / ˈɔfˈroʊd, ˈɒf- /

adjective

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

an off-road vehicle.
taking place on such roads or terrain.

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

off-road tires.

adverb

on a road or terrain other than a public road.

to travel off-road.

off-road British

adjective

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

"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

Etymology

Origin of off-road

First recorded in 1960–65

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.

See Examples For:

off-road

Explore Comporta’s fields, forests and dunes on a private off-road buggy tour with Feel Comporta.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

For instance, you can drive an off-road vehicle at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, but off-roading in Yosemite could land you in jail.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

Twenty-six fire crews alongside water carriers and specialist off-road units were sent to the scene as the flames quickly spread.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Alongside the fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and multiple command vehicles were also in attendance.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

Ignoring posted warnings that off-road driving is strictly forbidden, McCandless steered the Datsun off the pavement where it crossed a broad, sandy wash.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023