Standard Lemma guide

off-putting

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Disconcerting, annoying or repulsive; tending to put off.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • His habit of picking his nose is quite off-putting.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

tending to repel- Elizabeth Hess

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The trappings of upper-class life are off-putting and sterile

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

causing annoyance or repugnance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an off-putting remark

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From put off, equivalent to off- + putting.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: vervelend — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Dutch: afstotend — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Finnish: etova — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • French: repoussant — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • French: tue-l'amour — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Polish: odpychający — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Russian: отта́лкивающий (ottálkivajuščij) — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Russian: неприя́тный (neprijátnyj) — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Russian: раздра́жающий (razdrážajuščij) — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Russian: ме́рзкий (mérzkij) — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Russian: отврати́тельный (otvratítelʹnyj) — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Spanish: desagradable — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive
  • Tamil: அருவருப்பான (aruvaruppāṉa) — disconcerting, annoying or repulsive