takeoff
B1Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The moment when an aircraft leaves the ground and begins to fly.
A point of departure or beginning; a rapid rise or increase; an act of mimicking or parodying someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meaning relates to aviation. The secondary meanings of 'beginning' and 'parody' are metaphorical extensions. 'Rapid increase' often applies to economics or popularity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: The hyphenated form 'take-off' is more common in British English, while 'takeoff' (one word) is standard in American English. The verb 'take off' remains two words globally.
Connotations
Identical in core aviation meaning. In business contexts, 'takeoff' for economic growth is equally used.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater volume of air travel discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [AIRCRAFT] performed a smooth [TAKEOFF].[ECONOMY] experienced a rapid [TAKEOFF].He did a brilliant [TAKEOFF] of the president.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Ready for takeoff”
- “A comedy takeoff”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a period of rapid growth, e.g., 'The startup's takeoff was fueled by venture capital.'
Academic
Used in economics (Rostow's 'take-off' stage) and aviation studies.
Everyday
Primarily used for air travel, e.g., 'Our takeoff is at 3 PM.'
Technical
In aviation, denotes the specific phase of flight from brake release to initial climb.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The plane will take off shortly.
- He can take off the Prime Minister perfectly.
American English
- The plane is scheduled to take off on time.
- She loves to take off her coworkers' accents.
adverb
British English
- This is not used as a standard adverb.
American English
- This is not used as a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- The take-off procedure was routine.
- We watched the take-off performance.
American English
- The takeoff clearance was given.
- His takeoff routine was hilarious.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The plane's takeoff was very loud.
- What time is takeoff?
- Passengers must be seated during takeoff and landing.
- The comedian's takeoff of the famous actor made everyone laugh.
- The country's economic takeoff transformed it into a major industrial power.
- Due to high winds, the pilot aborted the takeoff.
- Rostow's model posits a 'take-off' stage as a critical transition to industrialisation.
- Her brilliant satirical takeoff exposed the politician's rhetorical tics with devastating accuracy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plane taking OFF from the ground. The word combines the action 'take' with the direction 'off'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS TAKEOFF, SUCCESS IS UPWARDS FLIGHT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'брать' + 'выключенный'. It's a fixed noun 'взлёт'. The verb phrase 'to take off' translates as 'взлетать' (for planes) or 'снимать' (for clothes).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'takeoff' as a verb (it's a noun; the verb is 'take off').
- Confusing 'takeoff' (beginning) with 'take off' (remove).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'takeoff' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but 'takeoff' is standard in American English and increasingly common in British English. 'Take-off' with a hyphen is a traditional British form. Always check the style guide you are using.
They are near-synonyms, but 'takeoff' is the general term for aircraft leaving the ground. 'Liftoff' is more specific to rockets or spacecraft leaving a launchpad vertically.
No. 'Takeoff' is a noun. The verb form is the phrasal verb 'to take off' (two words), meaning to leave the ground, become successful suddenly, or remove something.
It's a metaphorical term from development economics, popularised by Walt Rostow. It describes a period when a traditional economy transitions into rapid, sustained industrial growth and technological change.