play-off
noun
(in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
play-off
American
[pley-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
-
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:
O'Neill had hoped to retain Engels until after their Champions League play-off against LASK, with the first leg next Wednesday.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
With there being no 36-hole cut at any FedEx play-off event, six-time major winner McIlroy will hope to fare better over the weekend.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
After initial disapointment from within the Southampton dressing room, the whole saga appears to have lit a fire inside those Saints players who missed out on playing in last season's play-off final.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
And they have been slow starters in the Champions League recently - needing a knockout phase play-off tie after failing to finish in the top eight both times - before finishing strongly to win.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
The ideal way to break a tie is to have a play-off between the two players.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
And how much I wanted the audience to be able to see within the con, and what I wanted to play off perfectly to make the audience feel like they were a little bit tricked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
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
As England try to get their game right on the pitch, the games they play off the field are performing a key role in team bonding.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
“Them being able to play off of one another allows them to just be fresher as the season and as games go on,” McVay said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 11, 2025
Horace Clarke turned a double play off his heel and Joe Pepitone caught a pop fly over his shoulder.
From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt
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.
