turnoff

1 of 2

noun

turn·​off ˈtərn-ˌȯf How to pronounce turnoff (audio)
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
b
: to dispose of : sell
4
5
6
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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The comic also planned a joke about Kamala Harris that could potentially be a serious turnoff to many women, no matter their political leanings. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024 Not demonstrating curiosity can be a turnoff to recruiters. Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Verb
Then turn off your phone and get a good night's sleep. Sam Allard, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 And over the years, significant numbers have not been turned off by Trump’s rhetoric and behavior. Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for turnoff 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1564, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Time Traveler
The first known use of turnoff was in 1564

Dictionary Entries Near turnoff

Cite this Entry

“Turnoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turnoff. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

turnoff

1 of 2 noun
turn·​off ˈtər-ˌnȯf How to pronounce turnoff (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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