off-hour

\\ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\ noun

1. : a period of time spent off duty or away from work

2.

a. : a period of time other than rush hour

cut-rate tickets for off-hour travelers — William White

or regular business hours

a small store depends on customers during off-hours

b. : a time when one is not up to one's usual standard

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n. /awf"oweur", -ow"euhr, -oweur', -ow'euhr, of"-/; adj. /awf"oweur", -ow"euhr, of"-/, n.

1. an hour or other period when a person is not at a job: I spend my off-hours reading.

2. a period outside of rush hours or greatest activity: I travel by subway during the off-hours.

adj.

3. of, pertaining to, or during an off-hour: The off-hour traffic will be lighter.

[1930-35]

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off-hour «AWF OWR, OF-», noun, adjective.

–n.

1. a period of leisure time: »

Clegg collects butterflies in his off-hours (Time).

2. a period of lessened activity: »

The tube trains are designed to handle express cargo…during off-hours, providing ballast (Scientific American).

–adj.

1. of or for off-hours: »

off-hour diversions.

2. having off-hours: »

The government [permits] private persons—chiefly off-hour craftsmen and the unemployed—to perform repairs (Richard A. Pierce).