Kickoff vs. Kick Off
“Kick off” is the phrasal verb meaning to begin, including the start of a game or activity. “Kickoff” is a noun for that beginning, and Cambridge also documents “kick-off” as a noun spelling. The noun spelling can therefore vary by region or style.
Use “kick off” for the verb. “Kickoff” is a noun spelling, while Cambridge also records hyphenated “kick-off,” especially in British usage.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Role | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb: begin | kick off | The meeting will kick off at nine. |
| Noun: beginning/event | kickoff | The kickoff is at nine. |
| Noun variant in some styles, especially British usage | kick-off | A documented noun spelling; follow house style. |
Quick tests
Inflection test
Can you naturally change it to “kicked off” or “kicking off”?
If yes: Use the two-word verb “kick off.”
If no: If it names the beginning or event, use a documented noun spelling and follow regional/house style.
Caveat: The noun has more than one documented spelling; do not treat the hyphenated noun as universally wrong.
Examples
The workshop will kick off at 10 a.m.
The phrase functions as a verb.
The product kickoff is scheduled for Monday.
“Kickoff” functions as a noun.
We will kickoff the campaign tomorrow.
Better: We will kick off the campaign tomorrow.
As a verb, use two words.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use two words when you mean the action: “The meeting will kick off at nine.”
Fast Test
If the phrase can become “kicked off” or “kicking off,” use the two-word verb.
Regional Boundary
Cambridge records closed “kickoff” and also hyphenated “kick-off,” so a consistent house style may choose the noun spelling.
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.
- KICKOFF — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Closed noun “kickoff” for the start of a game or activity
- KICK OFF — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Phrasal verb “kick off” and documented hyphenated noun form “kick-off”