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 of put off

• postpone
• delay
• put over
• defer

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

Correcting a deficiency is one of the most accessible interventions in everyday health and now there’s a compelling new reason to stop putting off that conversation. —Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2026

Do not be put off by doors slamming. —Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

The plan also reduced senior services, after-school programming, leaving four Police Department vacancies empty, and putting off replacing two patrol cars. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026

Immediately after last year’s NFL draft, in which the Rams came away with two first-round picks in 2026, coach Sean McVay put off any hint of anticipation about how the team might leverage their bounty in this year’s draft. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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