What it means when a warship is paid off

What does it mean when a ship is paid off?

It is taken out of commission and cannot return to operations until recommissioned, though it may remain in reserve or refit.

A paid-off ship is distinct from one that remains commissioned while undergoing refit. The former must be recommissioned before returning to service and may enter reserve or a long reconstruction. A commissioned ship in refit remains at a higher state of readiness. It can potentially be pulled out of work for urgent operations, while a paid-off vessel cannot return without first rebuilding its commissioned organization.