drop-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈdräp-ˌȯf 

1

: a very steep or perpendicular descent

2

: a marked dwindling or decline

a drop-off in attendance

3

: the act or an instance of making a usually brief deposit or delivery

drop-off points along the route

drop off

2 of 2

verb

ˌdräp-ˈȯf 

dropped off; dropping off; drops off

intransitive verb

: to fall asleep

Synonyms

Noun

• abatement
• decline
• decrease
• decrement
• dent
• depletion
• depression
• diminishment
• diminution
• drop
• fall
• falloff
• loss
• reduction
• shrinkage
• step-down

Examples of drop-off in a Sentence

Noun

the drop-off in movie attendance was the greatest in more than a decade

Verb

my interest in photography has dropped off over the years

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Happy Returns has devised stringent verification processes at return drop-off points which not only streamline the returns, but also to combat online fraud. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025

Residents with lots of waste may save money by using a continuous pick-up service, but most would spend less by doing one-time drop-offs, Marsh said. —Noah Mitchell, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Verb

Donations at the North Aurora Goddard School can be dropped off at the building at 301 Miller Drive. —David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

If Mihailovic makes the USMNT roster for the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, the Rapids cannot drop off a cliff when that time comes. —Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1923, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1812, in the meaning defined above