drop-off

[ drop-awf, -of ]

noun

1. a vertical or very steep descent:

   The trail has a drop-off of several hundred feet.

2. a decline; decrease:

   Sales have shown a considerable drop-off this year.

3. a place where a person or thing can be left, received, accommodated, etc.:

   a new drop-off for outpatients.

adjective

1. applied when a rented vehicle is left elsewhere than at the point of hire:

   to pay a drop-off charge.

drop off

verb

1. intr to grow smaller or less; decline
2. tr to allow to alight; set down
3. informal.
   intr to fall asleep

noun

1. a steep or vertical descent
2. a sharp decrease

Word History and Origins

Origin of drop-off¹

First recorded in 1955–60; noun, adj. use of verb phrase drop off

Related Words

• diminish
• dwindle
• fall away
• fall off
• lessen
• sag
• slacken