off-puttingly

IPA/ˌɒfˈpʊt.ɪŋ.li/
IPA/ˈɑːfˌpʊt̬.ɪŋ.li/

off-puttingly — adverb

1. in a way that makes you feel slightly uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unwilling to

1.adverbB2
Definition

in a way that makes you feel slightly uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unwilling to stay involved with a person, place, or situation

Example

The waiting room was off-puttingly cold, with plastic chairs and a single flickering light.

modifies adjective describing sensory quality

Aylin found the clinic's receptionist off-puttingly rude, which made her want to leave.

modifies adjective describing personal behaviour

Common collocations
  • off-puttingly + adjective (cold, direct, cheerful, formal, casual, honest, clinical, sterile)
Synonyms
  • unpleasantly

    broader; can apply to any negative sensory or emotional experience

  • disconcertingly

    focuses on making someone feel confused or embarrassed

  • repellently

    stronger; suggests active disgust rather than mild discomfort

Antonyms

Usage Note

Almost always used before an adjective (e.g. off-puttingly direct, off-puttingly cheerful, off-puttingly formal). Less commonly it modifies a verb phrase when the manner of the action is what feels uncomfortable. The word is somewhat more frequent in written British English than in American English.

Common Mistakes

The food tasted off-puttingly.
The food was off-putting.' or 'The food tasted off-puttingly bitter.
Off-puttingly needs an adjective to modify; on its own after a linking verb, use off-putting instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Off-puttingly is the mildest of these four adverbs and often implies a social or emotional discomfort rather than physical disgust. Unpleasantly is the broadest — it can describe taste, weather, personality, or any negative sensation. Disconcertingly adds a layer of confusion or embarrassment: someone who is disconcertingly honest makes you feel awkward, while someone who is off-puttingly direct merely makes you want to end the conversation. Repellently is much stronger, suggesting active revulsion (e.g. repellently greasy food). Unappealingly focuses on lack of attraction rather than active discomfort, so it fits aesthetic judgments (e.g. unappealingly drab colours). If you want to say that a person's manner made you slightly uncomfortable, off-puttingly is the most natural choice.

unpleasantly ↗disconcertinglyrepellentlyunappealingly ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • off-puttingly + adjective (direct, cold, cheerful, formal, sterile)

Etymology

EnglishGermanicEnglish

Formed from the phrasal verb 'put off' (to discourage or repel, recorded since the 1600s), combined with the suffix '-ing' to form the adjective 'off-putting' (first recorded in the 19th century), then the adverb suffix '-ly' was added. The core idea of 'putting someone off' — causing them to delay, avoid, or lose interest — remains visible in the modern adverb.

First known use

1935

1935, in the meaning defined above