play-off
noun
(in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
play-off
American
[play-awf, -of]
/ ˈpleɪˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
noun
-
(in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
-
a series of games or matches, as between the leading teams of two leagues, in order to decide a championship.
In America the most exciting play-off is the World Series.
play off
British
verb
-
to deal with or manipulate as if in playing a game
to play one person off against another
-
(intr) to take part in a play-off
noun
-
sport an extra contest to decide the winner when two or more competitors are tied
-
a contest or series of games to determine a championship, as between the winners of two competitions
play off
Idioms
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See under play both ends against the middle .
-
Break a tie by playing an additional game or period, as in Each team had won three games so they had to play off the tie to decide the championship .
Etymology
Origin of play-off
First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase play off
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:
Only two years ago, they were winning the Championship play-off final before their place in Super League was confirmed by the IMG grading system, having been relegated in 2023.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
Liga, "Lok" faced a play-off against a representative of the Regional League Bavaria, Wurzburger Kickers.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
The victory ended a six-game winless run which began with defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off semi-final in March.
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
Three of the teams who remain unbeaten are regular play-off contenders.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
‘One time in the middle of a play-off game I had to splint a quarterback’s leg with nothing but tree branches and strapping tape.’
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
It doesn’t help that the vice presidents constantly runs down his wife in speeches, comments he tries to play off as jokes, but which are too hard-edged to sell as jovial.
From Salon ● Jul. 29, 2026
There’s a difference, as one might expect, watching the newcomers interact and witnessing seasoned performers like Messrs. Simmons and Welliver play off each other.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
He made just two shots, but coach JJ Redick commended Smart’s play off the bench along with the performances of Jake LaRavia, Jaxson Hayes and Gabe Vincent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2025
Kenny: Low-ball bids, gambling on a play off.
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2025
I tried to play off the texting as smooth as possible.
From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
