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off-topic

American  
[awf-top-ik, of-] / ˈɔfˈtɒp ɪk, ˈɒf- /

adjective

  1. not on the main topic; irrelevant to the discussion: OT

    to delete off-topic comments on a blog.


Etymology

Origin of off-topic

First recorded in 1970–75

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:

Assess which versions seem too easy, too difficult, off-topic or somehow unclear, then try to pick which version was actually used on the show.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

But now reporters were asking a barrage of off-topic questions, from the California High Speed Rail to the 2028 Olympics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026

I begin this literary day slightly off-topic, to the west of Las Letras, but with reason.

From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026

But when asked off-topic questions, the tool sometimes got tripped up and shared false information.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 12, 2023

I made it through homeroom without speaking to anybody and was just settling in for a nice period of off-topic journal writing in Miss Palma’s class when the intercom blared, calling me to the office.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

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