offshore

1 of 3

adverb

off·​shore ˈȯf-ˈshȯr How to pronounce offshore (audio)
Synonyms of offshorenext
1
: from the shore : seaward
also : at a distance from the shore
anchored about a mile offshore
2
: outside the country : abroad
banking offshore

offshore

2 of 3

adjective

off·​shore ˈȯf-ˌshȯr How to pronounce offshore (audio)
1
: coming or moving away from the shore toward the water
an offshore breeze
2
a
: situated off the shore but within waters under a country's control
offshore fisheries
b
: distant from the shore compare inshore
3
: situated or operating in a foreign country
offshore mutual funds
offshore banking

offshore

3 of 3

preposition

off·​shore ˈȯf-ˌshȯr How to pronounce offshore (audio)
: off the shore of

Synonyms of offshore

Examples of offshore in a Sentence

Adjective We sailed to an offshore island. He works on an offshore oil rig. They opened an offshore bank account. He traced the money to an offshore investment company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
In a May 8 speech, Atkins said that the failure of FTX Group in 2022 demonstrated the perils of hosting digital asset trading venues offshore. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 May 2026 While the Aquatravesia was still in Mexican waters, the captain was allegedly told cartel members would be waiting roughly 80 nautical miles offshore on the evening of May 14 and the early morning of May 15 to retrieve the drugs, according to the complaint. Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
Adjective
Much of the uncertainty surrounds financing, whether investors still see offshore wind as a smart place to put money. Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 Accommodations here range from standard guest rooms and suites to six-bedroom villas, and all guests have access to the intimate Ixora Spa, restaurants, an on-site marina with day-trip excursions, and the new Marina Cay Bar & Grill on an offshore private island. Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Preposition
The Outer Continental Shelf offshore Maine is virgin water for wind. Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2023 The storm began organizing Friday offshore the Carolinas when two disturbances along the jet stream merged over the Southeast. Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for offshore

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of offshore was in 1720

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offshore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshore. Accessed 27 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

offshore

1 of 2 adverb
off·​shore ˈȯf-ˈshō(ə)r How to pronounce offshore (audio)
-ˈshȯ(ə)r
: from the shore : at a distance from the shore

offshore

2 of 2 adjective
off·​shore ˈȯf-ˌshō(ə)r How to pronounce offshore (audio)
-ˌshȯ(ə)r
1
: coming or moving away from the shore
an offshore breeze
2
: located off the shore
offshore islands
an offshore oil rig

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