# spinoff

/ˈspɪˌnɔf/ (US) · /spˈɪnɒf/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/spinoff
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a new book, movie, or TV show that is based on a character or story from an older one. It can also mean a new company that starts from a larger, existing business.

For teachers: a secondary product, such as a television series or a corporate entity, derived from an existing primary source. Often involves the isolation of a specific component or subsidiary to function as an independent unit.

## Examples

- The popular sitcom got a spinoff after the main show ended.
- The tech giant announced a spinoff of its cloud computing division to allow it to operate as a separate company.
- While many spinoffs fail to capture the magic of the original series, this particular drama succeeded by focusing on a minor character's backstory in a completely different setting.

## Usage notes

- Commonly written as 'spin-off' with a hyphen or 'spinoff' as a single word.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.