playoff
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for playoff, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An extra game played to settle a tie between competitors.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use playoff
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A noun formed from the phrasal verb play off.
Full origin of playoff →Frequently asked questions
What does “playoff” mean?
The word “playoff” means an extra game played to settle a tie between competitors. In plain terms, a deciding game, or a series of games, held to settle who wins or advances.
How do you use “playoff” in a sentence?
Here is “playoff” used in a sentence: “The match ended level, so it went to a playoff.”
What part of speech is “playoff”?
“Playoff” is a noun.
Is “playoff” a common word?
“Playoff” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “playoff” have?
“Playoff” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an extra game played to settle a tie between competitors.
What is the difference between a "playoff" and a "final"?
A "playoff" is an extra game or a series held to settle a tie or decide a champion, while a "final" is the last, deciding match of a competition. A playoff can lead up to or include a final, but not every playoff is a final.
What is the difference between "playoff" and "postseason"?
The "playoffs" are the specific games or series played after the regular season to decide a champion, while the "postseason" is the whole period in which those games take place. In practice the terms overlap and are often used interchangeably.
Is "playoff" one word or two?
As a noun, "playoff" is usually written as one word, as in "they reached the playoffs." When used as a verb phrase, it is written separately, as in "the teams will play off for the title."