Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Break off

verb, slang

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping. transitive

    "She unwrapped the slab of chocolate and broke off a piece."

  2. 2
    interrupt before its natural or planned end wordnet
  3. 3
    To become detached by breaking or snapping. intransitive

    "A chunk of rock broke off from the cliff face."

  4. 4
    break a small piece off from wordnet
  5. 5
    To discontinue abruptly. transitive

    "Both families want the lovers to break off any relationship they may have."

Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    break off (a piece from a whole) wordnet
  2. 7
    To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently. intransitive

    "Our school doesn't break off until July."

  3. 8
    break a piece from a whole wordnet
  4. 9
    To play the first shot in a frame of snooker, billiards or pool. ambitransitive

    "Ted's opening line, when Steve broke off for the deciding frame, was, 'Last night we put our clocks back one hour. These two stars turned theirs back to April.'"

  5. 10
    put an end to a state or an activity wordnet
  6. 11
    To give (someone) (something); to allow (someone) to take (something); to grant (someone) a share or portion of (something). slang, transitive

    "If you help, I'll break you off a piece of the proceeds."

Etymology

From Middle English breke of (“break off, terminate”), a dissimilated form of earlier Middle English ofbreken. By surface analysis, break + off.

See also for "break off"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: breakoff