Words / B1

of-PEEK/ˌɒfˈpiːk/

Off-peak (id: off-peak) describes the cheaper, quieter time outside the rush: off-peak tickets, off-peak electricity, an off-peak gym session. Peak is the busy, expensive time (the morning commute). US English uses off-peak too, especially for travel and power. Hyphenated adjective (and sometimes adverb: travel off-peak).

Meaning

Cheaper or quieter because it is not the busiest time.

Examples

• “Off-peak train tickets are cheaper after the morning rush.”
• “Off-peak electricity is cheaper overnight, which is why we run the tumble drier then.”
• “An off-peak return to Manchester saved us about fifteen quid.”

Good to know

off-peak (hyphenated). Contrast: peak / rush hour. off-peak tickets / travel off-peak.

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