offset

1 of 2

verb

off·​set ˈȯf-ˌset 

 transitive senses are also  ȯf-ˈset

offset; offsetting; offsets

transitive verb

1

a

: to place over against something : balance

credits offset debits

b

: to serve as a counterbalance for : compensate

his speed offset his opponent's greater weight

2

: to form an offset in

offset a wall

intransitive verb

: to become marked by offset

offset

2 of 2

noun

off·​set ˈȯf-ˌset 

1

: something that serves to counterbalance or to compensate for something else

demands conspicuous offsets to the enemy's successes

especially : either of two balancing ledger items

2

a(1)

: a short prostrate (see prostrate entry 1 sense 3) lateral shoot arising from the base of a plant

(2)

: a small bulb arising from the base of another bulb

b

: a lateral or collateral (see collateral entry 2 sense 2) branch (as of a family or race) : offshoot

c

: a spur (see spur entry 1 sense 4a) from a range of hills

3

a

: a printing process in which an inked impression from a plate is first made on a rubber-blanketed cylinder and then transferred to the paper being printed

b

: unintentional transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet)

4

a

: displacement

b

: a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall formed by a diminution of its thickness above

c

: an abrupt change in the dimension or profile of an object (such as a bowl) or the part set off by such change

5

: something that sets off to advantage or embellishes something else : foil

The clown was a humorous offset in the play.

6

: an abrupt bend in an object (such as a pipe or a rod) by which one part is turned aside out of line

7

a

: cessation

rapid regular beating of the heart … characterized by sudden onset and sudden offset

—H. J. Stewart

b

archaic : outset, start

offset adjective or adverb

Synonyms

Verb

• correct
• neutralize
• counteract
• outweigh
• counterbalance

Noun

• counter
• balance
• corrective

Examples of offset in a Sentence

Verb

Gains in one area offset losses in another.

The limited storage space in the house is offset by the large garage.

Noun

a better performance this time will be an offset to last year's dismal showing

symptoms that were striking for their abrupt onset and their equally abrupt offset

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Texas successfully signed a new map into law that adds five GOP seats to the congressional delegation, and California aims to offset those additions with five new Democratic seats of its own. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

Unlike bonds, which promise repayment of the primary investment at a future date, warranting demands for higher yields to offset inflation concerns, gold is a physical asset that cannot be debased by fiscal mismanagement or political interference. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025

Noun

These benefits are driven in large part by type 2 diabetes outcomes, where cost offsets from fewer hospitalizations and complications outweigh drug costs. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Immediately pour icing over warm Cake, spreading evenly using an offset spatula. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1673, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

circa 1555, in the meaning defined at sense 7b

Phrases Containing offset

• photo-offset
• web-offset

Rhymes for offset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

offset

1 of 2 noun

off·​set ˈȯf-ˌset 

1

: a short shoot arising from the base of a plant and growing flat on the ground

2

: something that serves to make up for something else

offset

2 of 2 verb

off·​set ˈȯf-ˌset 

 also  ȯf-ˈset

offset; offsetting

: to make up for

gains in one state offset losses in another

Legal Definition

offset

1 of 2 noun

off·​set ˈȯf-ˌset 

: a claim or amount that reduces or balances another claim or amount : set-off

the creditor's own debt was an offset

also : the reduction or balance achieved by such a claim

offset

2 of 2 transitive verb

off·​set ˌȯf-ˈset 

: to balance, reduce, or calculate by reference to another amount

offset the debt against a credit