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

Thrive Holdings was founded last year, serving as an offshoot of Joshua Kushner’s venture capital firm Thrive Capital Management. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 29 Oct. 2026

In a freakier offshoot of the romantasy that has overtaken bestseller lists in recent years, these monster tales have sensational titles and even wilder plots. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

The Backstreet Boys are in many ways a squeaky clean offshoot of New Edition, for instance, but the former is generally seen as a boy band while the latter is branded as a male R&B group—something sexier, less innocent. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026

The critics are now also lampooning the El Califa offshoot in New York City, which opened in August, over the expense of its $19 tacos. — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 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