off-white

American  

[awf-hwahyt, -wahyt, of-] / ˈɔfˈʰwaɪt, -ˈwaɪt, ˈɒf- /

adjective

1. white mixed with a small amount of gray, yellow, or other light color.

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noun

off-whites plural

1. an off-white color.

off-white British  

noun

1. a colour, such as cream or bone, consisting of white mixed with a tinge of grey or with a pale hue

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adjective

1. of such a colour

   an off-white coat

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• off-whites
  plural

Etymology

Origin of off-white

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It’s deceptively conventional, with an axial structure and a conglomerate of relatively full chroma set against an off-white background.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026

Hernández greets me on a Zoom call wearing Clubmaster sunglasses, his head wrapped mummy-like by an off-white hoodie, knit scarf and beanie.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Robe says she chose the off-white Crate & Barrel center table for its 'organic, amorphous shape.'

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Before the verdict came down, Combs sat quietly in his chair, looking forward, wearing the same off-white sweater and pants he wore for much of his trial.

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2025

Z unclenched his fists and turned back toward the off-white fridge that his mother had plastered with photographs.

From "Time Bomb" by Joelle Charbonneau

Related Words

• camel
• cream
• khaki
• tan
• taupe