Collins English-English Dictionary

off [ɑf]

1. 1. prep used to indicate actions in which contact is absent or rendered absent, as between an object and a surface

   to lift a cup off the table

2. 2. prep used to indicate the removal of something that is or has been appended to or in association with something else

   to take the tax off potatoes

3. 3. prep out of alignment with

   we are off course

4. 4. prep situated near to or leading away from

   just off the High Street

5. 5. prep not inclined towards

   I'm off work

   I've gone off you

6. 6. adv [particle] so as to be deactivated or disengaged

   turn off the radio

7. 7. adv [particle] so as to get rid of

   sleep off a hangover

8. 8. adv so as to be removed from, esp as a reduction

   he took ten per cent off

9. 9. adv spent away from work or other duties

   take the afternoon off

10. 10. adv on a trip, journey, or race

    I saw her off at the station

11. 11. adv [particle] so as to be completely absent, used up, or exhausted

    this stuff kills off all vermin

12. 12. adv out from the shore or land

    the ship stood off

13. 13. adv out of contact; at a distance

    the ship was 10 miles off

14. 14. adv out of the present location

    the girl ran off

15. 15. adv away in the future

    August is less than a week off

16. 16. adv [particle] so as to be no longer taking place

    the match has been rained off

17. 17. adv [particle] removed from contact with something, as clothing from the body

    the girl took all her clothes off

18. 18. adv offstage

    noises off

19. 19. adv [commerce] (used with a preceding number) indicating the number of items required or produced

    please supply 100 off

20. 20. adj not on; no longer operative

    the off position on the dial

21. 21. adj [postpositive] not or no longer taking place; cancelled or postponed

    the meeting is off

22. 22. adj in a specified condition regarding money, provisions, etc

    well off

    how are you off for bread?

23. 23. adj unsatisfactory or disappointing

    his performance was rather off

    an off year for good tennis

24. 24. adj [postpositive] in a condition as specified

    I'd be better off without this job

25. 25. adj [postpositive] no longer on the menu; not being served at the moment

    sorry, love, haddock is off

26. 26. adj [postpositive] (of food or drink) having gone bad, sour, etc

    this milk is off

27. 27. n [cricket] the part of the field on that side of the pitch to which the batsman presents his bat when taking strike: thus for a right-hander, off is on the right-hand side - Compare leg

28. 28. n [in combination] a fielding position in this part of the field

    mid-off

29. 29. n (as modifier)

    the off stump

30. 30. vt. [tr] to kill (someone)

31. 31. vt. [Etymology] originally variant of of; fully distinguished from it in the 17th century

32. 32. vt. [Usage] In standard English, off is not followed by of: he stepped off (not off of) the platform