off-road

American

[awf-rohd, of-] / ˈɔfˈroʊd, ˈɒf- /

adjective

designed, built, or used for traveling off public roads, especially on unpaved roads, trails, beaches, or rough terrain.

an off-road vehicle.
taking place on such roads or terrain.

off-road racing.
used for or suitable to an off-road vehicle.

off-road tires.

adverb

on a road or terrain other than a public road.

to travel off-road.

off-road British

adjective

(of a motor vehicle) designed or built for use away from public roads, esp on rough terrain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of off-road

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Edmunds named the Rivian R1T its top-rated electric truck for 2026, citing its technology, power, off-road capability, and design.

From Barron's

“From its tech to its literal abundance of power, this electric pickup truck is fast, capable off-road, and the best-looking in its class,” wrote Gabriel Vega Cortés, editor of vehicle testing.

From Barron's

"They were getting away, going through tight gaps, alleyways, footpaths and even off-road."

From BBC

Arlo Buckley had been with his siblings on Central Drive and was hit by the off-road bike when he crossed the road, prosecutor Ember Wong said.

From BBC

He also investigates stolen tractors and off-road vehicles, burglarized deer camps, and financial crimes, like a $2 million case that involved a man who took out bank loans on cows he didn’t own.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023