turnoff

1 of 2

noun

turn·​off ˈtərn-ˌȯf 

1

: a place where one turns off

especially : exit sense 4

2

: one that causes loss of interest or enthusiasm

the music was a turnoff

3

: a turning off

turn off

2 of 2

verb

turned off; turning off; turns off

transitive verb

1

: to stop the flow of or shut off by or as if by turning a control

turn the water off

2

: to cause to lose interest : bore

economics turns me off

also : to evoke a negative feeling in

3

a

: dismiss, discharge

b

: to dispose of : sell

4

: deflect, evade

5

: produce, accomplish

6

: hang sense 1b

7

a

: to remove (material) by the process of turning

b

: to shape or produce by turning

intransitive verb

1

: to deviate from a straight course or from a main road

turn off into a side road

2

a

British : to turn bad : spoil

b

: to change to a specified state : become

3

: to lose interest : withdraw

Synonyms

Verb

• disgust
• gross out
• nauseate
• put off
• repel
• repulse
• revolt
• sicken

Examples of turnoff in a Sentence

Noun

His strong cologne was a real turnoff.

Verb

that memorably bad meal turned me off about restaurant food for a while

turn off at the third exit and follow the ramp to your left

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If wireless earbuds have always been a turnoff for you, then the Noble FoKus Rex5 will change your opinion. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Dollar General also has paid millions of dollars of fines for sloppy stores and blocked fire exits that became both workplace safety hazards and potential turnoffs for its shoppers. —Melissa Repko, NBC News, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

As the wildfire neared on Thursday, the water had been turned off, according to Shelley, who grew increasingly worried. —David Chiu, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025

Fresh-air intake functions of central air systems should be closed or turned off, according to the EPA. —Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Kids Definition

turnoff

1 of 2 noun

turn·​off ˈtər-ˌnȯf 

1

: a place where one turns off (as from a road)

2

: something that causes loss of interest or enjoyment

the music was a turnoff

turn off

2 of 2 verb

ˌtər-ˈnȯf,

ˈtər-

1

: to turn aside

turned off onto a side road

2

: to stop by or as if by turning a control

turn off the light

turn the alarm off

3

: to cause dislike or loss of interest

that sort of thing turns me off