Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Incorrect; mistaken; not in accordance with facts or reality: Describes an idea, statement, or assumption that is wrong or inaccurate.
   • Located or situated outside the boundaries of a military base: Describes housing, facilities, or activities that exist or occur away from a military installation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Incorrect):
  • His estimate of the cost was completely off-base.
  • The reporter's accusations were off-base and lacked evidence.
• Adjective (Located outside a base):
  • Many military families seek off-base housing for more space.
  • The new policy restricts off-base activities for trainees.

Advanced Usage

• "to be off-base": To be fundamentally wrong or misguided.
  • Your criticism of her work is totally off-base; she did an excellent job.
• "off-base" as a predicate adjective: Often follows a linking verb like "is," "was," or "seems."
  • The theory seems intriguing but is ultimately off-base.

Variants and Related Words

• Off-base housing (noun phrase): Residential accommodations located outside a military base.
• Off-base can function as an adverb in informal contexts, though this is less common.
  • He guessed off-base again.

Synonyms

• Incorrect, wrong, erroneous, inaccurate, misguided, unfounded.

Related Phrases

• Off the mark: Similar in meaning to the "incorrect" sense.
  • Your prediction was off the mark.
• Out in left field: Informal idiom meaning very mistaken or eccentric.
  • His proposal came from out in left field.

Notes on Meaning

The primary and most common contemporary meaning is "incorrect or mistaken." The military-related meaning ("located outside a base") is more specific and context-dependent. In general usage without a military context, the word is understood to mean "wrong."

Adjective

1. located outside a military base
   • off-base housing