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Definition of offbeat

offbeat

/ˈɔːf.biːt/
off · beat
Plural:offbeats
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offbeat Lexical Profile

offbeat Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Unconventional, unusual, or slightly eccentric in a way that departs from expected norms.

Example

"The director is known for her offbeat sense of humor and quirky characters."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

Any of the normally unaccented beats in a musical bar or measure.

Example

"In reggae music, the guitar and piano typically emphasize the offbeat."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for offbeat

• Nearby Words

off
off-peak
offal
offbeat
offcut
offend
offended

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1920s from the musical phrase 'off the beat', referring to unaccented pulses in jazz and ragtime, before broadening in the 1930s to describe anything unconventional or quirky.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Offbeat. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/offbeat
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