Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun An excuse; a shift for evasion or delay.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A shift for evasion or delay; an evasion; an excuse.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a pretext for delay or inaction
  • verb avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
  • verb take away the enthusiasm of
  • verb hold back to a later time
  • verb cause to feel intense dislike or distaste
  • verb cause to feel embarrassment

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word put-off.

Examples

  • If a community of thousands is merely put-off/offended by the actions of one, they can choose to bitch and moan or concentrate on more important things.

    Howard Hughes is Allergic to the Stupid readingthedark 2010

  • But, Gingrich seemed put-off -- to put it nicely -- when he was questioned by a student about his personal life last week during an appearance at the University of Pennsylvania.

    Good Newt and Bad Newt 2011

  • I can't imagine why some of the pros would have been put-off by there being a woman in the Classic, particularly since there have been others in years past.

    "Should Women Compete Against the Men?" 2009

  • But, Gingrich seemed put-off -- to put it nicely -- when he was questioned by a student about his personal life last week during an appearance at the University of Pennsylvania.

    The Fix: Good Newt and Bad Newt 2011

  • We learned from Gramm-Rudman-Hollings that long-term plans are a put-off for later Congresses to do the cutting -- which doesn't happen.

    Sen. Fritz Hollings: No Longer Free Press Sen. Fritz Hollings 2011

  • I can't imagine why some of the pros would have been put-off by there being a woman in the Classic, particularly since there have been others in years past.

    "Should Women Compete Against the Men?" 2009

  • We learned from Gramm-Rudman-Hollings that long-term plans are a put-off for later Congresses to do the cutting -- which doesn't happen.

    Sen. Fritz Hollings: No Longer Free Press Sen. Fritz Hollings 2011

  • All were clean and had friendly staffs, serving hearty indigenous-fare meals that wouldn't put-off "Western" palates.

    Dunes Struck 2011

  • We learned from Gramm-Rudman-Hollings that long-term plans are a put-off for later Congresses to do the cutting -- which doesn't happen.

    Sen. Fritz Hollings: No Longer Free Press Sen. Fritz Hollings 2011

  • We learned from Gramm-Rudman-Hollings that long-term plans are a put-off for later Congresses to do the cutting -- which doesn't happen.

    Sen. Fritz Hollings: No Longer Free Press Sen. Fritz Hollings 2011

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.