adj · noun · verb · 6 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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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈstændɒf/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈstændɔːf/
General-American:/ˈstændɔf/
cot-caught-merger:/ˈstændɑf/
[ˈsteəndɑf]cot–caught merger, æ-raising
California:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:S T AE1 N D AO2 F
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
For use at a distance sufficient from the target to allow defensive fire to be evaded.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Topics: government, military, politics, war
Examples
a standoff bomb, missile, or weapon
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A device which maintains a fixed distance between two objects, especially between a surface and a sign or electrical wiring.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A deadlocked confrontation between antagonists.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I don't want to get involved in the standoff between those two.
A tense standoff between demonstrators and police continued overnight.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
Nonstandard spelling of stand off.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, nonstandard
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
the act of repulsing or repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: repulsion
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: stand
6
noun
Meaning 6
the finish of a contest in which the score is tied and the winner is undecided
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the game ended in a draw
their record was 3 wins, 6 losses and a tie
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: draw, tie
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: finish
Narrower terms: dead heat, stalemate
History
Etymology
Deverbal from stand off.
Across languages
Translations
27 source translations are retained for this English entry.
French:
entretoise filetée
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
German:
Halter
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
German:
Abstandhalter
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
Polish:
przeciwwaga
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
Russian:
распо́рка
(raspórka)
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
Russian:
проста́вка
(prostávka)
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
Serbo-Croatian:
razmaknica
— a device which maintains a fixed distance
Catalan:
enfrontament
— a deadlocked confrontation
Catalan:
bloqueig
— a deadlocked confrontation
Catalan:
taules
— a deadlocked confrontation
German:
Pattsituation
— a deadlocked confrontation
German:
festgefahrene Lage
— a deadlocked confrontation
Hungarian:
patthelyzet
— a deadlocked confrontation
Hungarian:
holtpont
— a deadlocked confrontation
Italian:
impasse
— a deadlocked confrontation
Italian:
stallo
— a deadlocked confrontation
Polish:
pat
— a deadlocked confrontation
Polish:
sytuacja patowa
— a deadlocked confrontation
Polish:
impas
— a deadlocked confrontation
Portuguese:
impasse
— a deadlocked confrontation
Portuguese:
confronto
— a deadlocked confrontation
Russian:
противостоя́ние
(protivostojánije)
— a deadlocked confrontation
Spanish:
enfrentamiento
— a deadlocked confrontation
Spanish:
punto muerto
— a deadlocked confrontation
Spanish:
estancamiento
— a deadlocked confrontation
