off-roadadj.adv.
/ˈɒfrəʊd/, /ˌɒfˈrəʊd/, U.S. /ˈɔfˈroʊd/, /ˈɑfˈroʊd/ A. adj.
That is off a road; not located or done on a road (now frequently with reference to the sport or pastime of motoring, cycling, etc., over rough terrain). Also: of, relating to, or designating a vehicle designed to be used under such conditions. Cf. off-the-road n. at off adv., prep., n., and adj. Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [adjective] > cross-country or off-road
cross-country1767
off-road1954
off-highway1961
society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > transport of goods in a vehicle > [adjective] > relating to types of goods transport
over-the-road1945
trucking1947
off-road1954
intermodal1963
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > [adjective] > of or relating to motor vehicles > used away from roads
off-road1954
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > racing with vehicles > motor racing > [adjective] > on or off roads
round-the-houses1933
off-road1954
1954 Science 30 Apr. 617/1 In certain uses of terrain, such as off-road movement of tanks, there is a limit beyond which steepness becomes critical.
1968 Economist 21 Sept. 82/2 The new engine..is more suited..to off-road vehicles (dump trucks and earth movers) of all sorts.
1973 Observer 2 Sept. (Colour Suppl.) 51/3 Off-road racing started in California about seven years ago with the development of beach buggies and other fun cars.
1983 Truckin' Life Sept. 86 There are also some situations where a straight-out ute just isn't enough and you need a vehicle with off-road capability.
1991 Martha Stewart Living Sept. 34/3 Mountain bikes are very popular, but they are unnecessary—and unwieldy—on all but the roughest off-road trails.
2001 Chicago Tribune 11 Nov. xii. 3/1 Jeep will continue to build off-road capability into its products.
B. adv.
On or to an area away from a road; on rough terrain.
ΚΠ
1969 Road Test/Dune Buggy Aug. 18/1 If yours is a buggy that is only driven off-road and doesn't require an emergency brake, then you can use a single handle.
1986 Motor Transport 14 Aug. 3/5 M & G's chassis..has a three-position kingpin so that the trailer can be shunted off-road by tractors other than the special DAF.
1991 Bicycle Guide Sept. 81/1 Once upon a time there were no mountain bike shoes. You rode off-road in hiking boots or sneakers or whatever.
2000 Guardian 31 Jan. ii. 14/4 Even manufacturers admit that only 3% of their customers ever take their utes off-road.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.adv.1954