Drop-off vs. Drop Off vs. Dropoff
Merriam-Webster records hyphenated “drop-off” as the noun and two-word “drop off” as the verb. The closed spelling “dropoff” is a common search variant, but this guide does not treat it as the default Merriam-Webster headword.
Use “drop-off” for the noun and “drop off” for the verb; avoid assuming closed “dropoff” is the standard form in every style.
Key details
Choose the right form
| If you mean / need | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| a decline, delivery point, or act of delivery as a thing | drop-off | Merriam-Webster uses the hyphenated noun. |
| the action of declining, falling asleep, or delivering | drop off | It is the verb. |
| a closed spelling | dropoff | Treat as a style/variant question; Merriam-Webster’s reviewed headword is “drop-off.” |
Further guidance
Core difference
The reviewed Merriam-Webster entry distinguishes hyphenated noun “drop-off” from open verb “drop off.”
Fast Test
If you can conjugate it—“dropped off,” “dropping off”—use two words.
Variant Boundary
Do not turn this into a universal ban on “dropoff”; dictionaries and house styles can differ, so this page states the boundary supported by the reviewed source.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Drop-off — Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Drop-off noun and drop off verb spelling boundary