playoff
|play-off|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈpleɪˌɔf/
🇬🇧
/ˈpleɪɒf/
deciding game series
Etymology
Etymology Information
'playoff' originates from the combination of 'play' and 'off,' where 'play' meant 'engage in a game' and 'off' indicated 'completion or conclusion.'
Historical Evolution
'playoff' evolved from the concept of 'playing off' a tie in sports to determine a winner.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to play a game to break a tie,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a series of games to determine a champion.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a series of games or matches played to determine the winner among competitors who have tied in a previous round.
The team advanced to the playoffs after a successful season.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/02/27 04:53