# break off

> English word · Verb

## Definitions
1. To remove a piece from a whole by breaking or snapping.
2. To become detached by breaking or snapping.
3. To discontinue abruptly.
4. To end abruptly, either temporarily or permanently.
5. To play the first shot in a frame of snooker, billiards or pool.
6. To give (someone) (something); to allow (someone) to take (something); to grant (someone) a share or portion of (something).

## Etymology
From Middle English breke of (“break off, terminate”), a dissimilated form of earlier Middle English ofbreken. By surface analysis, break + off.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/break-off