1 B2 idiomatic neutral
to create a new company, product, or organization from part of an existing one
"The firm spun off its software division as a separate company."
both
spin off
B2 neutral both transitive/intransitive
to produce a new separate product, company, idea, or series from an existing one
In plain English
to create a new thing from something that already exists
What does "spin off" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
to create a new television show, book series, or similar work based on an existing successful one
"The network plans to spin off a comedy centered on the side characters."
both
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
to produce something as a secondary result or consequence
"The research project spun off several useful medical tools."
both
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to spin away from the main body
Actually means
to create a new thing from something that already exists
Usage tip
Very common in business and entertainment. Also used figuratively for unexpected results that develop from something else.
Words that pair with "spin off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
series company business show technology idea
How to conjugate "spin off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
spin off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spins off
he/she/it
Past simple
spined off
yesterday
Past participle
spined off
have + pp
-ing form
spining off
continuous
Hear "spin off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "spin off"
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