turn-off

noun

Something that repulses, disgusts, or discourages, especially sexually.

“Braces on a pretty girl actually aren't a turn-off for me.”

Similar
passion killer
Opposite
turn-on
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Meanings

nounturn-off (plural turn-offs)

plural turn-offs · alternative turnoff

  1. idiomaticSomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages, especially sexually.

    Braces on a pretty girl actually aren't a turn-off for me.

    1 more example

    I like the people at my job, but the 60-hour work weeks are a big turn-off.

    Synonyms: passion killer

  2. A road where one turns off, such as a motorway exit.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages, especially sexually.

Similar
passion killer
Opposite
turn-on
Also see
anaphrodisiacpassion killer

Origin

Deverbal from turn off.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish etova asia, inhottava asia
  • etova asiasomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
  • inhottava asiasomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
French tue-l'amour
  • tue-l'amoursomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
German Abtörn
  • Abtörnsomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
Polish coś zniechęchającego
  • coś zniechęchającegosomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
Spanish antierótico
  • antieróticosomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
Swedish (något) avtändande
  • (något) avtändandesomething that repulses, disgusts, or discourages
Cite this entry
APA

turn-off. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turn-off

MLA

“turn-off.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turn-off. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “turn-off,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/turn-off.

Source: turn-off on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.