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Meaning & use

turned off

verb, adjective·Everyday

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UK/ˌtɜːnd ˈɒf/
US/ˌtɝːnd ˈɔːf/

“turned off” is a form of “turn off”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    Past tense and past participle of turn off: stopped a machine, light or supply by using a switch, button or tap.

    Grammar: Takes an object, which can come before or after 'off': she turned off the light or turned the light off.

    Patterns

    • turned something off
    • turned off something

    He turned off the engine and got out of the car.

    I turned the oven off before leaving the house.

    The city turned off the water for repairs.

  2. adjectiveafter a verbinformal

    No longer interested in or attracted to something because it has disappointed or annoyed you.

    Grammar: Used after be or feel, often with 'by': I was turned off by the price.

    Patterns

    • be turned off by something
    • feel turned off

    Many customers felt turned off by the pushy sales staff.

    She was completely turned off after the rude waiter.

    Voters turned off by negative ads may stay home.

Common combinations

turned off the light
She turned off the light and went to sleep.
turned off the engine
The driver turned off the engine at the gate.
turned off by something
Visitors were turned off by the long queues.
turned off the tap
He turned off the tap tightly.
completely turned off
I felt completely turned off by the film's violence.

Synonyms and how they differ

switched off
Switched off is almost identical for machines, though it often suggests a switch, while turned off also works for taps and gas.
shut off
Shut off sounds firmer and is common for water, power or fuel supplies.
put off
Put off is the closer match for the feeling sense, though it usually suggests mild dislike rather than lost interest.
uninterested
Uninterested is more neutral, while turned off says something specific caused the loss of interest.

Opposites

turned on

Word family

turn off verb
to stop a machine, or to cause someone to lose interest
turn-off noun
something that causes lost interest, or a road exit
turned on adjective
started, or excited
turn on verb
to start a machine or light

Commonly confused: turned off or turned down?

turned off vs turned down

Turned down means refused, or made quieter or lower in setting; it does not mean switched off or lost interest.

Practice

Many shoppers felt ____ by the constant loud advertising.

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