adv
off
of
adv
1
Away from a place, position, or reference point.
"She drove off without saying goodbye."
adj
1
Not switched on or not working; turned off.
"Make sure the stove is off before you leave."
2
Cancelled or no longer happening.
"The wedding is off after they broke up last week."
3
Of food or drink: spoiled or gone bad.
"This milk smells off — throw it out."
prep
1
Away from, detached from, or no longer touching something.
"The picture fell off the wall."
How to Use Off
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAway from, disconnected, switched off, cancelled, or (of food) spoiled — a very common, multi-purpose word.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
switch off
call it off
off the record
a day off
Word Forms
more off comparative, offed past tense, offs singular, most off superlative
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She drove _____ without saying goodbye.
Etymology
From Old English of/æf, meaning "away, off" — a doublet of the word "of", which it split apart from in Middle English.