of [əv, before consonants also ə; 'əv, 'äv] -prep

  1. used as a function word to indicate a point of reckoning
    • north of the lake
  2. used as a function word to indicate origin or derivation
    • a man of noble birth
  3. used as a function word to indicate the cause, motive, or reason
    • died of flu
  4. by
    • plays of Shakespeare
  5. on the part of
    • very kind of you
  6. occurring in
    • a fish of the western Atlantic
  7. used as a function word to indicate the component material, parts, or elements or the contents
    • throne of gold
    • cup of water
  8. used as a function word to indicate the whole that includes the part denoted by the preceding word
    • most of the army
  9. used as a function word to indicate a whole or quantity from which a part is removed or expended
    • gave of his time
  10. relating to : about
    • stories of her travels
  11. in respect to
    • slow of speech
  12. used as a function word to indicate belonging or a possessive relationship
    • king of England
  13. used as a function word to indicate relationship between a result determined by a function or operation and a basic entity (as an independent variable)
    • a function of x
    • the product of two numbers
  14. used as a function word to indicate something from which a person or thing is delivered
    • eased of her pain
    or with respect to which someone or something is made destitute
    • robbed of all their belongings
  15. used as a function word to indicate a particular example belonging to the class denoted by the preceding noun
    • the city of Rome
  16. used as a function word to indicate apposition
    • that fool of a husband
  17. used as a function word to indicate the object of an action denoted or implied by the preceding noun
    • love of nature
  18. used as a function word to indicate the application of a verb
    • cheats him of a dollar
    or of an adjective
    • fond of candy
  19. used as a function word to indicate a characteristic or distinctive quality or possession
    • a woman of courage
  20. used as a function word to indicate the position in time of an action or occurrence
    • died of a Monday
  21. before
    • quarter of ten
  22. on
    • a plague of all cowards -- Shak.
  23. have used in place of the contraction 've often in representations of uneducated speech
    • I could of beat them easy -- Ring Lardner

OF -abbr

  1. outfield

ofay ['ō-,fā, ō-'] -n

  1. a white person

off ['ȯf] -adv

  1. from a place or position
    • march off
  2. away from land
    • ship stood off to sea
  3. at a distance in space or time
    • stood 10 paces off
    • a long way off
  4. from a course : aside
    • turned off into a bypath
  5. away from the wind
  6. into an unconscious state
    • dozed off
  7. so as to be separated from support
    • rolled to the edge of the table and off
    or close contact
    • blew the lid off
    • the handle came off
  8. so as to be divided
    • surface marked off into squares
  9. to a state of discontinuance or suspension
    • shut off an engine
  10. used as an intensifier
    • drink off a glass
    • finish it off
  11. in absence from or suspension of regular work or service
    • take time off for lunch
  12. offstage
  13. used as a function word to indicate physical separation or distance from a position of rest, attachment, or union
    • take it off the table
    • a path off the main walk
    • a shop just off the main street
  14. to seaward of
    • two miles off shore
  15. from the possession or charge of
    • had his wallet stolen off him
  16. used as a function word to indicate the object of an action
    • borrowed a dollar off him
    • dined off oysters
  17. used as a function word to indicate the suspension of an occupation or activity
    • off duty
    • off liquor
  18. below the usual standard or level of
    • off his game
  19. seaward
  20. right
  21. more removed or distant
    • the off side of the building
  22. started on the way
    • off on a spree
  23. not taking place or staying in effect : canceled
    • the deal was off
  24. not operating
  25. not placed so as to permit operation
  26. not corresponding to fact : incorrect
    • off in his reckoning
  27. poor, subnormal
  28. not entirely sane : eccentric
  29. remote, slight
    • an off chance
  30. spent off duty
    • reading on his off days
  31. marked by a periodic decline in activity or business
    • traveled in the off season for lower prices
  32. off-color
  33. inferior
    • off grade of oil
  34. affected with putrefaction
  35. down
    • stocks were off
  36. circumstanced
    • worse off
  37. to go away : depart used chiefly as an imperative
    • off, or I'll shoot
  38. kill, murder
  39. office; officer; official

of·fal ['ȯ-fəl, 'ä-] -n

  1. : the waste or by-product of a process: as
  2. trimmings of a hide
  3. the by-products of milling used esp. for stock feeds
  4. the viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal removed in dressing : variety meat
  5. rubbish

off and on -adv

  1. with periodic cessation : intermittently
    • rained off and on all day

off·beat ['ȯf-,bēt] -n

  1. an unaccented beat or portion of a beat in a musical measure
  2. eccentric, unconventional

offbrand ['ȯf-,brand] -adj

  1. not identified with a major brand name
    • offbrand sneakers

off Broadway -n, adj or adv

  1. a part of the New York professional theater stressing fundamental and artistic values and formerly engaging in experimentation

off·cast ['ȯf-,kast] -adj, n

  1. cast off : discarded

offcol·or ['ȯf-'kə-lər] -adj

  1. not having the right or standard color
  2. being out of sorts
  3. of doubtful propriety : dubious
  4. verging on the indecent
    • offcolor remarks

off·cut ['ȯf-,kət] -n

  1. something that is cut off (as a waste piece of lumber)

of·fend [ə-'fend] -vb, n

  1. to transgress the moral or divine law : sin
    • if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offend ing soul alive -- Shak.
  2. to violate a law or rule : do wrong
    • offend against the law
  3. to cause difficulty, discomfort, or injury
    • took off his shoe and removed the offend ing pebble
  4. to cause dislike, anger, or vexation
    • thoughtless words that offend needlessly
  5. violate, transgress
  6. to cause pain to : hurt
  7. to cause to sin or fall
  8. to cause to feel vexation or resentment usu. by violation of what is proper or fitting
    • was offend ed by their language

of·fense [ə-'fen(t)s, esp for 3 'ä-,fen(t)s, 'ȯ-] -n, adj

  1. an act of stumbling
  2. a cause or occasion of sin : stumbling block
  3. something that outrages the moral or physical senses
  4. the act of attacking : assault
  5. the means or method of attacking or of attempting to score
  6. the offensive team or members of a team playing offensive positions
  7. scoring ability
  8. the act of displeasing or affronting
  9. the state of being insulted or morally outraged
    • takes offense at the slightest criticism
  10. a breach of a moral or social code : sin, misdeed
  11. an infraction of law
  12. misdemeanor

of·fen·sive [ə-'fen(t)-siv, esp for 1 'ä-,fen(t)-, 'ȯ-] -adj, adv, n

  1. making attack : aggressive
  2. of, relating to, or designed for attack
    • offensive weapons
  3. of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest
  4. of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck
  5. giving painful or unpleasant sensations : nauseous, obnoxious
    • an offensive odor
  6. causing displeasure or resentment
    • offensive remarks

offensive -n

  1. the act of an attacking party
  2. attack

of·fer ['ȯ-fər, 'ä-] -vb

  1. to present as an act of worship or devotion : sacrifice
  2. to utter (as a prayer) in devotion
  3. to present for acceptance or rejection : tender
    • was offer ed a job
  4. to present in order to satisfy a requirement
    • candidates for degrees may offer French as one of their foreign languages
  5. propose, suggest
    • offer a solution to a problem
  6. to declare one's readiness or willingness
    • offer ed to help me
  7. to try or begin to exert : put up
    • offer ed stubborn resistance
  8. threaten
    • offer ed to strike him with his cane
  9. to make available : afford
  10. to place (merchandise) on sale
  11. to present in performance or exhibition
  12. to propose as payment : bid
  13. to present something as an act of worship or devotion : sacrifice
  14. to make an attempt
  15. to present itself
  16. to make a proposal (as of marriage)

offer -n

  1. a presenting of something for acceptance
    • considering job offer s from several firms
    • an offer of marriage
  2. an undertaking to do an act or give something on condition that the party to whom the proposal is made do some specified act or make a return promise
  3. offering
  4. a price named by one proposing to buy : bid
  5. attempt, try
  6. an action or movement indicating a purpose or intention

of·fer·ing ['ȯ-f(ə-)riŋ, 'ä-] -n

  1. the act of one who offers
  2. something offered
  3. a sacrifice ceremonially offered as a part of worship
  4. a contribution to the support of a church
  5. something offered for sale or patronage
    • latest offering s of the leading novelists
  6. a course of instruction or study

of·fer·to·ry ['ȯ-fə(r)-,tȯr-ē, 'ä-] -n

  1. the eucharistic offering of bread and wine to God before they are consecrated
  2. a verse from a Psalm said or sung at the beginning of the offertory
  3. the period of collection and presentation of the offerings of the congregation at public worship
  4. a musical composition played or sung during an offertory

offgas·sing ['ȯf-,ga-siŋ] -n

  1. the emission of esp. noxious gases (as from a building material)

off·hand ['ȯf-'hand, -,hand] -adv

  1. without premeditation or preparation : extempore
    • couldn't give the figures offhand

offhand -adj

  1. casual, informal
    • a relaxed, offhand manner
  2. done or made offhand
    • offhand excuses

off·hand·ed [-'han-dəd, -,han-] -adj, adv, n

  1. offhand

offhour ['ȯf-,au̇(-ə)r] -n

  1. a period of time other than a rush hour
  2. a period of time other than regular business hours

of·fice ['ä-fəs, 'ȯ-] -n

  1. a special duty, charge, or position conferred by an exercise of governmental authority and for a public purpose : a position of authority to exercise a public function and to receive whatever emoluments may belong to it
  2. a position of responsibility or some degree of executive authority
  3. a prescribed form or service of worship
  4. divine office
  5. a religious or social ceremonial observance : rite
  6. something that one ought to do or must do : an assigned or assumed duty, task, or role
  7. the proper or customary action of something : function
  8. something done for another : service
  9. : a place where a particular kind of business is transacted or a service is supplied: as
  10. a place in which the functions of a public officer are performed
  11. the directing headquarters of an enterprise or organization
  12. the place in which a professional person conducts business
  13. the apartments, attached buildings, or outhouses in which the activities attached to the service of a house are carried on
  14. a major administrative unit in some governments
    • British Foreign Office
  15. a subdivision of some government departments
    • Patent Office

office boy -n

  1. a boy or man employed for odd jobs in a business office

of·fice·hold·er [-,hōl-dər] -n

  1. one holding a public office

of·fi·cer ['ä-fə-sər, 'ȯ-] -n

  1. agent
  2. one charged with police duties
  3. one who holds an office of trust, authority, or command
    • the officer s of the bank
    • chief executive officer
  4. one who holds a position of authority or command in the armed forces
  5. commissioned officer
  6. the master or any of the mates of a merchant or passenger ship

officer -vt

  1. to furnish with officers
  2. to command or direct as an officer

officer of arms

  1. any of the officers (as king of arms, herald, or pursuivant) of a monarch or government responsible for devising and granting armorial bearings

of·fi·cial [ə-'fi-shəl also ō-] -n

  1. one who holds or is invested with an office : officer
    • government official s
  2. one who administers the rules of a game or sport esp. as a referee or umpire

official [-'fi-sh(ə-)lē] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to an office, position, or trust
    • official duties
  2. holding an office
  3. authoritative, authorized
    • official statement
  4. prescribed or recognized as authorized
    • an official language
  5. described by the U.S. Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary
  6. befitting or characteristic of a person in office
    • extended an official greeting

of·fi·cial·dom [-'fi-shəl-dəm] -n

  1. officials as a class

of·fi·cial·ese [-,fi-shə-'lēz, -'lēs] -n

  1. the characteristic language of official statements : wordy, pompous, or obscure language

of·fi·cial·ism [-'fi-shə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. lack of flexibility and initiative combined with excessive adherence to regulations in the behavior of usu. government officials

of·fi·ci·ant [ə-'fi-shē-ənt] -n

  1. one (as a priest) that officiates at a religious rite

of·fi·ci·ary [ə-'fi-shē-,er-ē, ȯ-, ä-] -n

  1. officer, official
  2. a body of officers or officials

officiary -adj

  1. connected with, derived from, or having a title or rank by virtue of holding an office
    • officiary earl

of·fi·ci·ate [ə-'fi-shē-,āt] -vb, n

  1. to perform a ceremony, function, or duty
    • officiate at a wedding
  2. to act in an official capacity : act as an official (as at a sports contest)
  3. to carry out (an official duty or function)
  4. to serve as a leader or celebrant of (a ceremony)
  5. to administer the rules of (a game or sport) esp. as a referee or umpire

of·fi·ci·nal [ə-'fi-sə-nᵊl, ȯ-, ä-; ,ȯ-fə-'sī-nᵊl, ,ä-] -adj

  1. medicinal
    • a monograph on officinal flora

of·fi·cious [ə-'fi-shəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. kind, obliging
  2. dutiful
  3. volunteering one's services where they are neither asked nor needed : meddlesome
  4. informal, unofficial

off·ing ['ȯ-fiŋ, 'ä-] -n

  1. the part of the deep sea seen from the shore
  2. the near or foreseeable future
    • in the offing

off·ish ['ȯ-fish] -adj, n

  1. standoffish

offkey ['ȯf-'kē] -adj or adv

  1. varying in pitch from the proper tone of a melody
  2. irregular, anomalous

offkil·ter [-'kil-tər] -adj

  1. not in perfect balance : a bit askew
  2. eccentric, unconventional
    • offkilter characters
    • an offkilter approach

offla·bel ['ȯf-,lā-bəl] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a drug used to treat a condition for which it has not been officially approved

offlim·its ['ȯf-'li-məts] -adj

  1. not to be entered or patronized by a designated class (as military personnel)
  2. not to be interfered with, considered, or spoken of
    • the subject of sex was offlimits in her family

offline [-'līn] -adj, adv

  1. not connected to or served by a system and esp. a computer or telecommunications system
  2. done independently of such a system
    • offline activities

offload [(,)ȯf-'lōd, 'ȯf-,] -vb

  1. unload

off of -prep

  1. off

offoffBroadway -n, adj or adv

  1. an avant-garde theatrical movement in New York

offpeak ['ȯf-'pēk] -adj

  1. not being in the period of maximum use or business : not peak
    • telephone rates during offpeak hours

offprice ['ȯf-'prīs] -adj

  1. of, relating to, selling, or being discounted merchandise
    • an offprice store
    • offprice apparel

off·print ['ȯf-,print] -n, vt

  1. a separately printed excerpt (as a magazine article)

offput·ting [-,pu̇-tiŋ] -adj, adv

  1. that puts one off : repellent, disconcerting
    • an offputting attitude

offramp [-,ramp] -n

  1. a ramp by which one leaves a limited-access highway

offroad ['ȯf-'rōd] -adj

  1. of, relating to, done with, or being a vehicle designed esp. to operate away from public roads

offroad·er [-'rō-dər] -n

  1. a driver of an off-road vehicle
  2. an off-road vehicle

off·scour·ing [-,skau̇(-ə)r-iŋ] -n

  1. someone rejected by society : outcast
  2. something that is scoured off : refuse

off·screen ['ȯf-'skrēn] -adv or adj

  1. out of sight of the motion picture or television viewer
  2. in private life

offsea·son ['ȯf-,sē-zᵊn] -n

  1. a time of suspended or reduced activity
  2. the time during which an athlete is not training or competing

off·set ['ȯf-,set] -n, adj or adv

  1. outset, start
  2. cessation
  3. a short prostrate lateral shoot arising from the base of a plant
  4. a small bulb arising from the base of another bulb
  5. a lateral or collateral branch (as of a family or race) : offshoot
  6. a spur from a range of hills
  7. a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall formed by a diminution of its thickness above
  8. displacement
  9. an abrupt change in the dimension or profile of an object or the part set off by such change
  10. something that sets off to advantage or embellishes something else : foil
  11. an abrupt bend in an object by which one part is turned aside out of line
  12. something that serves to counterbalance or to compensate for something else
  13. either of two balancing ledger items
  14. unintentional transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet)
  15. a printing process in which an inked impression from a plate is first made on a rubber-blanketed cylinder and then transferred to the paper being printed
  16. to place over against something : balance
    • credits offset debits
  17. to serve as a counterbalance for : compensate
    • his speed offset his opponent's greater weight
  18. to form an offset in
    • offset a wall
  19. to become marked by offset

off·shoot ['ȯf-,shüt] -n

  1. a collateral or derived branch, descendant, or member : outgrowth
  2. a lateral branch (as of a mountain range)
  3. a branch of a main stem esp. of a plant

off·shore ['ȯf-'shȯr] -adv

  1. from the shore : seaward
  2. at a distance from the shore
  3. outside the country : abroad
  4. coming or moving away from the shore toward the water
    • an offshore breeze
  5. situated off the shore but within waters under a country's control
    • offshore fisheries
  6. distant from the shore
  7. situated or operating in a foreign country
    • offshore mutual funds
    • offshore banking
  8. off the shore of

off·side ['ȯf-'sīd] -adv or adj

  1. illegally in advance of the ball or puck

offsite [-'sīt] -adj or adv

  1. not located or occurring at the site of a particular activity

offspeed [-'spēd] -adj

  1. being slower than usual or expected
    • throwing offspeed pitches

off·spring ['ȯf-,spriŋ] -n

  1. the product of the reproductive processes of an animal or plant : young, progeny
  2. child
  3. product, result
    • scholarly manuscripts-the labored offspring s of PhDs -- Donna Martin
  4. offshoot

off·stage ['ȯf-'stāj, -,stāj] -adv or adj

  1. on a part of the stage not visible to the audience
  2. in private life
    • known offstage as a kindly person
  3. behind the scenes : out of the public view
    • much of the important work of the conference was done offstage

offthebooks -adj, adv

  1. not reported or recorded
    • offthebooks transactions
    • offthebooks covert operations

offthecuff -adj, adv

  1. not prepared in advance : spontaneous, informal
    • offthecuff remarks

offthepeg -adj

  1. ready-made

offtherack -adj

  1. ready-made
    • offtherack suits

offtherecord -adj

  1. given or made in confidence and not for publication
    • offtherecord comments

offtheshelf -adj

  1. available as a stock item : not specially designed or custom-made
    • offtheshelf software

offthewall -adj

  1. highly unusual : bizarre
    • an offthewall sense of humor

off·track ['ȯf-'trak] -adv or adj

  1. away from a racetrack
    • betting offtrack
    • offtrack bookies

offwhite ['ȯf-'hwīt, -'wīt] -n

  1. a yellowish or grayish white

off year -n

  1. a year in which no major election is held
  2. a year of diminished activity or production
    • an off year for auto sales

oft ['ȯft] -adv

  1. often

of·ten ['ȯ-fən, ÷'ȯf-tən] -adv

  1. many times : frequently

of·ten·times [-,tīmz] -adv

  1. often, repeatedly