noun
definition
(usually in phrases such as 'from the off', 'at the off', etc.) Beginning; starting point.
example
He has been very obviously an untrustworthy narrator right from the off.
verb
definition
To kill.
example
He got in the way so I had him offed.
definition
To switch off.
example
Can you off the light?
adjective
definition
Inoperative, disabled.
example
All the lights are off.
definition
Cancelled; not happening.
example
The party's off because the hostess is sick.
definition
Not fitted; not being worn.
example
The drink spilled out of the bottle because the top was off.
definition
Rancid, rotten, gone bad.
example
This milk is off!
definition
Less than normal, in temperament or in result.
example
sales are off this quarter
definition
Inappropriate; untoward.
example
I felt that his comments were a bit off.
definition
(in phrases such as 'well off', 'better off', 'poorly off') Circumstanced.
definition
Started on the way.
example
And they're off! Whatsmyname takes an early lead, with Remember The Mane behind by a nose.
definition
Far; off to the side.
example
He took me down the corridor and into an off room.
definition
Designating a time when one is not strictly attentive to business or affairs, or is absent from a post, and, hence, a time when affairs are not urgent.
example
He took an off day for fishing. an off year in politics; the off season
definition
(in phrases such as 'off day') Designating a time when one is not performing to the best of one's abilities.
definition
(of a dish on a menu) Presently unavailable.
example
— I'll have the chicken please.
definition
(in relation to a vehicle) On the side furthest from the kerb (the right-hand side if one drives on the left).
example
The off front wheel came loose.
definition
In, or towards the half of the field away from the batsman's legs; the right side for a right-handed batsman.
adverb
definition
In a direction away from the speaker or object.
example
He drove off in a cloud of smoke.
definition
Into a state of non-operation or non-existence.
example
Please switch off the light when you leave.
definition
So as to remove or separate, or be removed or separated.
example
He bit off the end of the carrot.
definition
Used in various other ways specific to individual idiomatic phrases, e.g. bring off, show off, put off, tell off, etc. See the entry for the individual phrase.
preposition
definition
Not positioned upon; away from a position upon.
example
He's off the roof now.
definition
Detached, separated, excluded or disconnected from; away from a position of attachment or connection to.
example
He was thrown off the team for cheating.
definition
Used to indicate the location or direction of one thing relative to another, implying adjacency or accessibility via.
example
His office is off this corridor on the right.
definition
Used to express location at sea relative to land or mainland.
example
The island is 23 miles off the cape.
definition
Removed or subtracted from.
example
There's 20% off the list price.
definition
No longer wanting or taking.
example
He's been off his feed since Tuesday.
definition
(more properly 'from') Out of the possession of.
example
He didn't buy it off him. He stole it off him.
definition
Placed after a number (of products or parts, as if a unit), in commerce or engineering.
example
I'd like to re-order those printer cartridges, let's say 5-off.