Send-off vs. Send Off
“Send-off” is the hyphenated noun for a farewell occasion. “Send off” is the two-word phrasal verb, whose senses include dispatching something and saying goodbye to someone leaving.
Use “send-off” for the noun naming a farewell occasion. Use “send off” as the verb for sending something, dismissing a player, or saying goodbye to someone who is leaving.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| noun: a farewell occasion or expression | send-off | Use the hyphenated noun. |
| verb: dispatch a thing or arrange for it to go | send off | Use the two-word phrasal verb. |
| verb: dismiss a player from a game | send off | Use the phrasal verb. |
| verb: say goodbye to someone who is leaving | send off | Use the phrasal verb; the noun remains hyphenated. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the expression naming a farewell event or occasion as a noun?
If yes: Use “send-off.”
If no: If it is functioning as a verb—dispatching, dismissing, or seeing someone depart—use “send off.”
Caveat: The hyphen marks the noun/verb distinction here; the phrasal verb remains two words.
Examples
Her colleagues gave her a warm send-off.
“Send-off” is a noun naming the farewell occasion.
I sent the documents off this morning.
“Send off” is the phrasal verb meaning dispatch.
The referee sent the player off in the second half.
The sports dismissal sense also uses the two-word verb.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use the documented noun or modifier form when naming a thing, result, person, or concept; use the spaced form when the words function as a verb.
Fast Test
If the expression can take ordinary verb tense or inflection in the sentence, the spaced verb form is usually the relevant choice.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge records the hyphenated noun “send-off” and the two-word phrasal verb “send off” in the same entry.
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.
- SEND SOMETHING OFF — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Hyphenated noun “send-off” and two-word phrasal verb “send off”