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

Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, a small militant group believed to be an offshoot of the TTP, claimed responsibility. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

In 1952 a difference of opinion over membership on the leadership council in Short Creek led to rival factions, one of which, in 1954, became the offshoot Apostolic United Brethren (AUB), the second largest of the fundamentalist groups. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Vagmaxxing seems the logical offshoot of a trend that prizes unreasonable, unrealistic body modification to the point of impossible AI perfection and transhumanism—scary enough! — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 21 Sep. 2026

Al Jazeera gave a prime-time slot to Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who was widely regarded as the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, an influential Islamist group with offshoots around the world—including Hamas. — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 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