put off

verb

put off; putting off; puts off

transitive verb

1

a

: disconcert

b

: repel

2

a

: to hold back to a later time

b

: to induce to wait

put the bill collector off

3

: to rid oneself of : take off

4

: to sell or pass fraudulently

Synonyms

• defer
• delay
• hold off (on)
• hold over
• hold up
• lay over
• postpone
• put over
• remit
• shelve

Examples of put off in a Sentence

never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

put off your coat and stay awhile

Recent Examples on the Web

Congratulations is so, but please don't be put off if not. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

In November, a referendum calling for an amendment to the liquor license ordinance passed with overwhelming public support, but a council vote on the issue was put off until this year despite calls from some residents and council members Annette Lidawer and Andres Tapia to resolve the issue sooner. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Keen to enjoy homemade bread but put off by all the kneading by hand, flouring, and yeast-starting that comes with it? —Emily Peck, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2025

Grownups would put off going into work, parents would let their children miss a few hours of school. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for put off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

put off

verb

1

: to cause negative feelings in

your sloppy appearance put them off

2

: to hold back to a later time : defer

put off my visit to the dentist

3

: to rid oneself of

put off your coat