What is off? Pronunciation and usage in English

off means . Learn how to pronounce and use off through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of off

offadverb

/ɒf/
Definition & pronunciation of off

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "off" in English. It's a tricky one because it's famously inconsistent! Here's a breakdown of the two main pronunciations and when you're likely to hear each:

1. The “ahf” Sound (Most Common in American English)

  • Pronunciation: /ɔf/ (like "off" in "coffee" or "offer")
  • Sound: This is the pronunciation you'll hear most often in American English. It's a short, open "ah" sound followed by a brief "f" sound.
  • How to say it:
    • Start with a relaxed "ah" sound, as in "father."
    • Quickly add a very light "f" sound. It's almost like the "f" is barely there.

2. The “uhf” Sound (More Common in British English)

  • Pronunciation: /ɒf/ (like "off" in "tough")
  • Sound: This version uses a more rounded "uh" sound (like the "u" in "but") followed by a brief "f" sound.
  • How to say it:
    • Start with a rounded "uh" sound, as in “cup.”
    • Quickly add a brief "f" sound.

Here's a table to summarize:

Pronunciation Sound English Variety Example Word
/ɔf/ "ahf" American English Off the table
/ɒf/ "uhf" British English Off course

Tips for figuring out which one to use:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear how people actually say it. You can find examples on YouTube or in dictionaries.
  • Context: Sometimes the context of the sentence can give you a clue. For example, if someone says, "I'm turning it off," they're likely using the /ɔf/ pronunciation.
  • Regional variations: Pronunciation can vary greatly depending on the region.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more personalized advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (or what kind of English do you want to learn)?

Usage and examples with the word off in English

Let's break down how to use the word "off" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a lot of different meanings and ways to use it. Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As an Adverb (Describing Actions & Manner)

  • Starting something: "Let's off with the introductions." (meaning "Let's begin with introductions")
  • Leaving a starting position: "The car off smoothly." (meaning "The car started smoothly.")
  • Moving quickly: “He off like a shot!” (meaning “He shot off quickly.”)
  • Continuing or progressing: "The meeting off well." (meaning “The meeting went well,” implying it continued successfully.) “The project off strongly.” (meaning “The project is progressing strongly.”)

2. As a Preposition (Indicating Separation or Distance)

  • Away from: "He walked off into the woods." (meaning “He walked away into the woods.”)
  • Separation: "Take the plates off the table." (meaning “Remove the plates from the table.”)
  • Removing something: "She took the stickers off her phone." (meaning "She removed the stickers from her phone.")
  • Disconnecting: "Turn off the lights." (meaning "Turn the lights off.")
  • Detaching: “He kicked the chair off the table.” (meaning “He kicked the chair away from the table.”)

3. As an Interjection (Expressing Emotion)

  • Disappointment/Frustration: "Oh, off! I forgot my keys." (Expressing a small annoyance)
  • Disapproval/Mild Objection: "Well, off with you!" (A dismissive way of saying "Go away!")

4. As a Verb (Meaning to Turn Something Off or Stop It)

  • Turning off electronics: "Please off the TV." (meaning “Please turn off the TV.”)
  • Stopping an activity: "The rain off suddenly." (meaning “The rain stopped suddenly.”)
  • Removing a covering: "She off her coat." (meaning "She removed her coat.”)
  • Disengaging: "The pilot off the autopilot." (meaning "The pilot disengaged the autopilot.")

5. Phrases with "Off"

  • "To be off": Means not working or available.
    • “I’m off this afternoon.” (meaning “I’m not working this afternoon.”)
    • “The store is off for the holidays.” (meaning "The store is closed for the holidays.")
  • "Catch off": To be surprised or startled. "I caught him off guard!"
  • "Let off": To forgive someone or to allow someone to do something without punishment. “Let him off with a warning."
  • “Blow off”: (Informal) To relax or relieve stress. “I need to blow off some steam.”
  • "Take off": To leave suddenly, or for an airplane to ascend. "The plane took off on time." “He took off running.”

6. Figurative Usage

  • “Off balance”: Feeling unsteady or upset. (e.g., “I felt off balance after the roller coaster.”)
  • “Off color”: Looking or feeling unwell. ("He seemed a bit off color today.")

Tips for Understanding & Using "Off" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "off" will always depend on how it's used in a sentence.
  • Pay attention to the surrounding words: Look at the verbs, nouns, and adjectives before and after "off" to get a better sense of its meaning.
  • Listen to native speakers: Hearing how "off" is used in natural conversation is the best way to truly internalize its nuances.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Is there a specific sentence or situation where you’re unsure how to use “off”?
  • Are there any particular uses of "off" you'd like me to explain in more detail (e.g., figurative usage, phrases)?

Synonyms for the word off

Idioms of the word off

be better/worse off (doing something)
to be in a better or worse situation
  • She's better off without him.
  • The weather was so bad we'd have been better off staying at home.
  • We can't be any worse off than we are already.
be off for something
(informal)to have a particular amount of something
  • How are we off for coffee (= how much do we have)?
be well/better/badly, etc. off
used to say how much money somebody has
  • Families will be better off under the new law (= will have more money).
  • They are both comfortably off (= have enough money to be able to buy what they want without worrying too much about the cost).
off and on/on and off
from time to time; now and again
  • It rained on and off all day.

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