Definition and Pronunciation
Turned off (pronounced: /tɜrnd ɔːf/) is a phrasal adjective and past participle form of the phrasal verb turn off. It means losing interest, attraction, or excitement toward something or someone. Most often, it describes a feeling of sexual or emotional disinterest caused by behavior, appearance, or attitude, but it can also apply to non-sexual contexts (like food, hobbies, or music).
Easy Explanation
“Turned off” means not interested anymore, often because something ruined the mood. For example, He was turned off by her rude comment. In sexual or romantic contexts, it means losing attraction.
Grammatical Formation
- Verb: to turn off
- Past tense: turned off
- Adjective: turned-off (e.g., a turned-off audience)
- Noun: turn-off (something that causes loss of interest).
Word Comparisons
- Turned off vs. uninterested: uninterested = simply doesn’t care; turned off = actively lost interest due to something.
- Turned off vs. bored: bored = tired from dullness; turned off = repelled or disinterested.
- Turned off vs. disgusted: disgusted is stronger, with revulsion; turned off can be mild or strong.
Connotations
- Negative: loss of attraction, loss of excitement.
- Neutral: loss of focus or interest.
- Figurative: disappointment or letdown.
Meaning with Prepositions
- Turned off by: She was turned off by his arrogance.
- Turned off to (less common): He was turned off to the idea of joining them.
- Turned off with: She got turned off with his constant complaints.
Real-Life Examples
- He was turned off by her bad manners.
- The audience felt turned off by the speaker’s attitude.
- She admitted she was turned off by his arrogance.
- I’m turned off by the smell of cigarette smoke.
Synonyms
unattracted, repelled, disinterested, alienated, displeased, bored, put off
Antonyms
turned on, attracted, engaged, excited, aroused, stimulated, interested
Related Terms
- Turn-off – something that ruins attraction or interest.
- Turn-on – the opposite: something that excites or arouses.
- Disinterest – lack of interest.
- Aversion – strong dislike.
Common Collocations
- turned off by someone
- turned off attitude
- sexual turn-off
- turned off completely
- turned off audience
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
- Big turn-off: something strongly unattractive or unappealing.
- Total turn-off: complete loss of interest.
- Turned off emotionally: closed off, no longer emotionally engaged.
Sample Sentences
- She was turned off by his rude jokes.
- Smoking is a big turn-off for many people.
- The poor service turned off the customers.
- He felt turned off after hearing her dishonesty.
Connection to Sexuality
Yes, very directly. In sexual and romantic contexts, “turned off” means losing attraction, arousal, or sexual desire because of something someone did or said. It’s the direct opposite of “turned on.”
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