so as to be no longer supported or attached: This button is about to come off.
2.
so as to be no longer covering or enclosing: to take a hat off; to take the wrapping off.
3.
away from a place: to run off; to look off toward the west.
4.
away from a path, course, etc.; aside: This road branches off to Grove City.
5.
so as to be away or on one's way: to start off early; to cast off.
6.
away from what is considered normal, regular, standard, or the like: to go off on a tangent.
7.
from a charge or price: He took 10 percent off for all cash purchases.
8.
at a distance in space or future time: to back off a few feet; Summer is only a week off.
9.
out of operation or effective existence: Turn the lights off.
10.
into operation or action: The alarm goes off at noon.
11.
so as to interrupt continuity or cause discontinuance: Negotiations have been broken off.
12.
in absence from work, service, a job, etc.: two days off at Christmas.
13.
completely; utterly: to kill off all the inhabitants.
14.
with prompt or ready performance: to dash a letter off.
15.
to fulfillment, or into execution or effect: The contest came off on the appointed day.
16.
into nonexistence or nothingness: My headache passed off soon.
17.
so as to be delineated, divided, or apportioned: Mark it off into equal parts.
18.
away from a state of consciousness: I must have dozed off.
19.
Nautical. away from the land, a ship, the wind, etc.
–preposition
20.
so as no longer to be supported by, attached to, on, resting on, or unified with: Take your feet off the table! Break a piece of bread off the loaf.
21.
deviating from: off balance; off course.
22.
below or less than the usual or expected level or standard: 20 percent off the marked price; I was off my golf game.
23.
away, disengaged, or resting from: to be off duty on Tuesdays.
24.
Informal. refraining or abstaining from; denying oneself the pleasure, company, practice, etc., of: He's off gambling.
25.
away from; apart or distant from: a village off the main road.
26.
leading into or away from: an alley off 12th Street.
27.
not fixed on or directed toward, as the gaze, eyes, etc.: Their eyes weren't off the king for a moment.
28.
Informal. from (a specified source): I bought it off a street vendor.
29.
from or of, indicating material or component parts: to lunch off cheese and fruit.
30.
from or by such means or use of: living off an inheritance; living off his parents.
31.
Nautical. at some distance to seaward of: off Cape Hatteras.
–adjective
32.
in error; wrong: You are off on that point.
33.
slightly abnormal or not quite sane: He is a little off, but he's really harmless.
34.
not up to standard; not so good or satisfactory as usual; inferior or subnormal: a good play full of off moments.
35.
no longer in effect, in operation, or in process: The agreement is off.
36.
stopped from flowing, as by the closing of a valve: The electricity is off.
37.
in a specified state, circumstance, etc.: to be badly off for money.
38.
(of time) free from work or duty; nonworking: a pastime for one's off hours.
39.
not working at one's usual occupation: We're off Wednesdays during the summer.
40.
of less than the ordinary activity, liveliness, or lively interest; slack: an off season in the tourist trade.
41.
unlikely; remote; doubtful: on the off chance that we'd find her at home.
42.
more distant; farther: the off side of a wall.
43.
(of a vehicle, single animal, or pair of animals hitched side by side) of, being, or pertaining to the right as seen from the rider's or driver's viewpoint (opposed to near): the off horse; the off side.
44.
starting on one's way; leaving: I'm off to Europe on Monday. They're off and running in the third race at Aqueduct.
45.
lower in price or value; down: Stock prices were off this morning.
46.
Nautical. noting one of two like things that is the farther from the shore; seaward: the off side of the ship.
47.
Cricket. noting or pertaining to that side of the wicket or of the field opposite that on which the batsman stands.
–noun
48.
the state or fact of being off.
49.
Cricket. the off side.
–verb (used without object)
50.
to go off or away; leave (used imperatively): Off, and don't come back!
Usage note: The phrasal preposition off of is old in English, going back to the 16th century. Although usage guides reject it as redundant, recommending off without of, the phrase is widespread in speech, including that of the educated: Let's watch as the presidential candidates come off of the rostrum and down into the audience. Off of is rare in edited writing except to give the flavor of speech.
Used to indicate position above and supported by or in contact with: The vase is on the table. We rested on our hands and knees.
Used to indicate contact with or extent over (a surface) regardless of position: a picture on the wall; a rash on my back.
Used to indicate location at or along: the pasture on the south side of the river; a house on the highway.
Used to indicate proximity: a town on the border.
Used to indicate attachment to or suspension from: beads on a string.
Used to indicate figurative or abstract position: on the young side, but experienced; on her third beer; stopped on chapter two.
Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto: jumped on the table; the march on Washington.
Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto: going on six o'clock; came on the answer by accident.
Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results"(Margaret Thatcher).
Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate actual motion toward, against, or onto: jumped on the table; the march on Washington.
Used to indicate figurative or abstract motion toward, against, or onto: going on six o'clock; came on the answer by accident.
Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results"(Margaret Thatcher).
Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate occurrence at a given time: on July third; every hour on the hour.
Used to indicate the particular occasion or circumstance: On entering the room, she saw him.
Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results"(Margaret Thatcher).
Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate the object affected by actual, perceptible action: The spotlight fell on the actress. He knocked on the door.
Used to indicate the object affected by a figurative action: Have pity on them.
Used to indicate the object of an action directed, tending, or moving against it: an attack on the fortress.
Used to indicate the object of perception or thought: gazed on the vista; meditated on his actions.
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results"(Margaret Thatcher).
Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate the agent or agency of a specified action: cut his foot on the broken glass; talked on the telephone.
Used to indicate a medicine or other corrective taken or undertaken routinely: went on a strict diet.
Used to indicate a substance that is the cause of an addiction, a habit, or an altered state of consciousness: high on dope.
Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results"(Margaret Thatcher).
Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate a source or basis: "We will reach our judgments not on intentions or on promises but on deeds and on results"(Margaret Thatcher).
Used to indicate a source of power or energy: The car runs on methane.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate the state or process of: on leave; on fire; on the way.
Used to indicate the purpose of: travel on business.
Used to indicate a means of conveyance: ride on a train.
Used to indicate availability by means of: beer on tap; a physician on call.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Used to indicate belonging to: a nurse on the hospital staff.
Used to indicate addition or repetition: heaped error on error.
Concerning; about: a book on astronomy.
Concerning and to the disadvantage of: We have some evidence on him.
Informal In one's possession; with: I haven't a cent on me.
At the expense of; compliments of: drinks on the house.
adv.
In or into a position or condition of being supported by or in contact with something: Put the coffee on.
In or into a position of being attached to or covering something: Put your clothes on.
In the direction of something: He looked on while the ship docked.
Toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time; forward: The play moved on to the next city.
At or to a more distant point in time or space: I'll do it later on.
In or into performance or operation: Turn on the radio.
In progress or action; in a state of activity: The show must go on.
In a continuous course: He worked on quietly.
In or into performance or operation: Turn on the radio.
In progress or action; in a state of activity: The show must go on.
In or at the present position or condition: stay on; hang on.
In a condition of being scheduled for or decided upon: There is a party on tonight.
adj.
Being in operation: The television is on.
Engaged in a given function or activity, such as a vocal or dramatic role: You're on in five minutes!
Under or behaving as if under observation: A minister is always on.
Planned; intended: We have nothing much on for this weekend.
Happening; taking place: The parade is on.
Informal Functioning or performing at a high degree of competence or energy: The goalie is really on.
Planned; intended: We have nothing much on for this weekend.
Happening; taking place: The parade is on.
Baseball Having reached base safely; on base: Two runners are on.
[Middle English, from Old English an, on; see an- in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: To indicate motion toward a position, both on and onto can be used: The cat jumped on the table. The cat jumped onto the table.Onto is more specific, however, in indicating that the motion was initiated from an outside point. He wandered onto the battlefield means that he began his wandering at some point off the battlefield. He wandered on the battlefield may mean that his wandering began on the battlefield. · In constructions where on is an adverb attached to a verb, it should not be joined with to to form the single word onto: move on to (not onto) new subjects; hold on to (not onto) our gains. · In their uses to indicate spatial relations, on and upon are often interchangeable: It was resting on (or upon) two supports. We saw a finch light on (or upon) a bough. To indicate a relation between two things, however, instead of between an action and an end point, upon cannot always be used: Hand me the book on (not upon) the table. It was the only town on (not upon) the main line. Similarly, upon cannot always be used in place of on when the relation is not spatial: He wrote a book on (not upon) alchemy. She will be here on (not upon) Tuesday.
mod. crazy; out of one's head. : Don't pay any attention to her. She's off her nut.
mod. alcohol intoxicated. : Those guys are so off their nuts!
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
off
by c.1200 as an emphatic form of O.E. of (see of), employed in the adverbial use of that word. The prepositional meaning "away from" and the adj. sense of "farther" were not firmly fixed in this variant until 17c., but once they were they left the original of with the transf. and weakened senses of the word. Meaning "not working" is from 1861; verb sense of "to kill" first attested 1930. Off the cuff (1938) is from the notion of speaking from notes written in haste on one's shirt cuffs. Off the rack (adj.) is from 1963; off the record is from 1933; off the wall "crazy" is 1968, probably from the notion of a lunatic "bouncing off the walls" or else in ref. to carom shots in squash, handball, etc.
[awf, of] 
