offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt 

1

a

: a collateral or derived branch, descendant, or member : outgrowth

b

: a lateral branch (as of a mountain range)

2

: a branch of a main stem especially of a plant

Synonyms of offshoot

• limb
• outgrowth
• sprout
• shoot
• growth

Examples of offshoot in a Sentence

The business started as an offshoot of an established fashion design company.

we knew the rosebush had survived the harsh winter when it began producing offshoots and turning green again

Recent Examples on the Web

Pacheco’s original case was an offshoot of an investigation into a former Miami-Dade doctor, Jose Santeiro, who served a four-and-a-half year prison sentence for his role in a criminal case similar to hers. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026

The show has already generated a litany of spin-offs, with American, celebrity and junior offshoots. —Will Barker, TheWeek, 26 Jan. 2026

The California Post, an offshoot of the New York Post, launched on Monday. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026

Do realize that bromeliad plants decline after a year or two but usually have offshoots to produce new plants. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for offshoot

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• compute
• confute
• dilute
• dispute
• elute

Kids Definition

offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt 

1

: something that branches out from something else

2

: a branch of a main stem of a plant