off
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for off, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Away from a place, position, or reference point.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use off
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English of/æf, meaning "away, off" — a doublet of the word "of", which it split apart from in Middle English.
Full origin of off →Frequently asked questions
What does “off” mean?
The word “off” means away from a place, position, or reference point. In plain terms, away from, disconnected, switched off, cancelled, or (of food) spoiled — a very common, multi-purpose word.
How do you pronounce “off”?
“Off” is pronounced of (/ɔf/ in IPA).
How do you use “off” in a sentence?
Here is “off” used in a sentence: “She drove off without saying goodbye.”
What is another word for “off”?
Words with a similar meaning to “off” include away and out.
What is the opposite of “off”?
The opposite of “off” — its antonyms — are in and on.
What part of speech is “off”?
Depending on how it is used, “off” can be an adverb, an adjective and a preposition.
Where does the word “off” come from?
The word “off” comes from Old English. From Old English of/æf, meaning "away, off" — a doublet of the word "of", which it split apart from in Middle English.
Is “off” a common word?
“Off” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "off" and "of"?
"Off" means away from a place, position, or reference point, or describes something not switched on ("the light is off"). "Of" is an unstressed preposition showing belonging or connection ("a cup of tea"). They are pronounced differently too — "off" rhymes with "cough," while "of" sounds like "uv."
Is "off of" correct grammar?
The "of" in "off of" is redundant, because "off" alone already means away from something: "she jumped off the wall." "Off of" is common in informal American speech, but formal writing prefers plain "off."
Is it "a day off" or "an off day"?
They mean different things. "A day off" is a day away from work or your usual duties, while "an off day" is a day when you perform worse than usual or things are not working as they should. Both are standard expressions.
What is the difference between "switched off" and "turned off"?
There is no difference in meaning — both describe a device that is not switched on or not working. "Switched off" is more common in British English and "turned off" in American English, but each is understood everywhere.