turnoff
B2Informal (especially for the 'disgust' sense). Neutral for the 'road exit' sense.
Definition
Meaning
A point where one road leads away from another; something that causes loss of interest or excitement.
A road exit; a feature or characteristic that causes repulsion, disinterest, or a negative emotional reaction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a noun. As a compound, it can be written as 'turnoff', 'turn-off', or 'turn off' (the latter is the phrasal verb). The noun senses are distinct: 1) a road leaving a main route; 2) a cause of disinterest/repulsion. Sense 2 is highly subjective and context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'turn-off' (with hyphen) is the more common spelling for both senses. In American English, the solid form 'turnoff' is frequent, especially for the 'road exit' sense.
Connotations
The 'disinterest/repulsion' sense is strong in both varieties, but may be considered slightly more informal in BrE.
Frequency
The 'road exit' sense is more frequent in AmE, particularly in driving contexts (e.g., 'Take the next turnoff'). The 'disinterest' sense is equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] a turnoff for [someone][verb] the turnoff for [place][adjective] turnoffVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a real turnoff.”
- “That's a major turnoff for me.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in marketing: 'The complicated checkout process is a customer turnoff.'
Academic
Very rare. The 'disinterest' sense might appear in informal social science discussions.
Everyday
Common in both senses: giving directions and discussing personal likes/dislikes.
Technical
In transportation/road design for the 'exit' sense.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please turn off the lights.
- He decided to turn off the motorway at the next junction.
American English
- Can you turn off the TV?
- We need to turn off the highway soon.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hotel is at the next turnoff.
- Bad smell is a turnoff.
- Watch for the turnoff to the village on your left.
- His arrogance was a real turnoff for her.
- We missed the turnoff and had to drive an extra ten miles.
- For many voters, the candidate's dishonesty was a major political turnoff.
- The scenic turnoff provided a breathtaking vista of the valley.
- The film's gratuitous violence served as a profound aesthetic turnoff for the critic.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of literally TURNing your car OFF the main road at a TURNOFF, or your interest turning OFF because of a TURNOFF.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTEREST/ATTRACTION IS A LIGHT/SWITCH (something can be a 'turnoff').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'выключить' (to turn off a device). The noun 'turnoff' is not the act of switching off. It is a place or a cause. For the road sense, it's closer to 'съезд' or 'поворот'. For the disinterest sense, it's 'что-то отталкивающее'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'turnoff' as a verb (the verb is 'turn off'). Confusing 'turnoff' (noun) with 'turn off' (phrasal verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct use of the noun 'turnoff'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun, it can be written as one word ('turnoff') or with a hyphen ('turn-off'). As a phrasal verb, it is always two words ('turn off').
They are largely synonymous in the 'cause of disinterest' sense. 'Turnoff' is more common in American English and can feel more vivid/immediate. 'Put-off' is more common in British English and can sometimes imply a temporary or less severe reaction.
Not specifically. It means the exit or turning itself. However, a turnoff may *lead* to a rest area, picnic site, or viewpoint.
No, it is informal. In formal writing, synonyms like 'deterrent', 'repellent', or 'cause for disengagement' might be preferred.