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

Citizens at the time was an offshoot of Royal Bank of Scotland, where Van Saun served as finance director through a turbulent few years after the global financial crisis. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 24 July 2026

But the fate of The Neighborhood offshoot from CBS Studios was sealed earlier in 2025, following Skydance’s acquisition of Paramount+ and CBS Studios parent Paramount. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 July 2026

The Spartacus alum landed the lead role in Marvel’s Wolverine, the new title from the makers at Insomniac Games, set in the same sector of the universe as Marvel’s Spider-Man and its gaming offshoots. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

Two Egyptian nationals have been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of offences related to their running of an unauthorised offshoot of the Streameast sports piracy platform. — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 21 July 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