offset

American  

[awf-set, of-, awf-set, of-] / ˈɔfˌsɛt, ˈɒf-, ˌɔfˈsɛt, ˌɒf- /

noun

• offsets
  plural

1. something that counterbalances, counteracts, or compensates for something else; compensating equivalent.

2. the start, beginning, or outset.

   Synonyms:

   onset

3. a short lateral shoot by which certain plants are propagated.

4. an offshoot or branch of a specific population or family.

5. any offshoot; branch.

6. Also called offset lithography, offset printing. Lithography.

   1. a process in which a lithographic stone or metal or paper plate is used to make an inked impression on a rubber blanket that transfers it to the paper being printed, instead of being made directly on the paper.

   2. the impression itself.

7. Also called setoff. Printing. an unintentional transfer of excess or undried ink from one printed sheet to another.

8. Geology.

   1. (in faults) the magnitude of displacement between two previously aligned bodies.

   2. a spur of a mountain range.

9. Machinery. a jog or short displacement in an otherwise straight and continuous line, as in a pipe, lever, or rod, made to avoid objects or to connect with other parts.

10. Architecture. setoff.

11. Surveying.

    1. a short distance measured perpendicularly from a main survey line.

    2. Also called offset line. a line a short distance from and parallel to a main survey line.

12. Naval Architecture. any of the coordinates by which any point on a hull being planned is located.

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adjective

1. of, noting, or pertaining to an offset.

2. Lithography. pertaining to, printed by, or suitable for printing by offset.

3. placed away from a center line; off-center.

4. placed at an angle to something, as to the axis of a form, shape, or object; not parallel.

verb (used with object)

• offsets,
  present (3rd person singular)
• offset,
  past participle,  past
• offsetting
  present participle

1. to counterbalance as an equivalent does; compensate for.

   The gains offset the losses.

   Synonyms:

   counteract, counterpoise, counterweight, parallel, match

2. to juxtapose with something else, as for purposes of comparison.

   to offset advantages against disadvantages.

3. Printing.

   1. to make an offset of.

   2. to print by the process of offset lithography.

4. Architecture. to build with a setoff, as a wall.

5. Surveying. to establish (a line) parallel to a main survey line at an offset.

verb (used without object)

• offsets,
  present (3rd person singular)
• offset,
  past participle,  past
• offsetting
  present participle

1. to project as an offset or branch.

2. to counterbalance or compensate.

3. Printing. to make an offset.

offset British  

noun

1. something that counterbalances or compensates for something else

2. an allowance made to counteract some effect

3. 1. a printing method in which the impression is made onto an intermediate surface, such as a rubber blanket, which transfers it to the paper

   2. (modifier) relating to, involving, or printed by offset

      offset letterpress

      offset lithography

4. another name for set-off

5. botany

   1. a short runner in certain plants, such as the houseleek, that produces roots and shoots at the tip

   2. a plant produced from such a runner

6. a ridge projecting from a range of hills or mountains

7. the horizontal component of displacement on a fault

8. a narrow horizontal or sloping surface formed where a wall is reduced in thickness towards the top

9. a person or group descended collaterally from a particular group or family; offshoot

10. surveying a measurement of distance to a point at right angles to a survey line

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verb

1. (tr) to counterbalance or compensate for

2. (tr) to print (pictures, text, etc) using the offset process

3. (tr) to construct an offset in (a wall)

4. (intr) to project or develop as an offset

offset Scientific  

/ ôf′sĕt′ /

1. A shoot that develops laterally at the base of a plant, often rooting to form a new plant. Many succulents and cacti are propagated by removing offsets and planting them elsewhere.

2. See more at vegetative reproduction

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• offsets
  plural

Participles

• offsetting
  present
• offset
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• offset
  simple
• offsets
  simple
• have offset
  perfect
• has offset
  perfect
• am offsetting
  progressive
• are offsetting
  progressive
• is offsetting
  progressive
• have been offsetting
  perfect progressive
• has been offsetting
  perfect progressive

Past

• offset
  simple
• had offset
  perfect
• was offsetting
  progressive
• were offsetting
  progressive
• had been offsetting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will offset
  simple
• will have offset
  perfect
• will be offsetting
  progressive
• will have been offsetting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of offset

First recorded in 1545–55; after verb phrase set off

Explanation

When you offset something—say, the price of gas—you find a way to make up for it. My new car's ability to get fifty miles per gallon offset the rise in the price of gas. Offset functions as both a noun and a verb. Okay, let's talk turkey. The Duke's lack of height was offset by his enormous wig. Even without shoes, he towered above most people, because his wig alone was five feet tall. The cost of the wig—close to $10,000—was easily offset by its quality: it was worth every cent. The inconvenience of the blizzard was offset by the joy of not having to go to school or work—or even get out of bed. The joy was what you might call an offset.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

offset offsets offsetting

Investors will watch whether export earnings can help offset a rising energy import bill.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Import growth likely slowed to 26.0% from 28.2%, as a renewed decline in crude oil arrivals partly offset strength in technology imports, the economists said, citing tanker data.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

If that trade shifts, the index is likely to take notice, especially if rates don’t come down and other sectors can’t rally to offset weakness in the S&P 500.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

So in theory, stocks with negative beta should help to offset losses when the stocks helping to push the index higher stop working.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

For Swann’s frequent moves from institution to institution hinted at an aspect of his personality that offset his blazing intellect: he had a tendency to rub his peers the wrong way.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

China’s decline in demand and imports accounted for nearly one-third of those offsets, and they’re still running about 4 million barrels per day lower than they were before the war, the J.P.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

It remains to be seen whether any increase in demand from lower oil prices offsets the relief consumers will get from savings at the pump, on airfares, and other fuel-price sensitive expenditures.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

Areas with continuous permafrost showed only modest offsets.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 20, 2026

“I don’t think that means I don’t work for a living. I don’t think it somehow offsets the fact that I did four tours in the infantry and served my country in intense combat.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

"Vogel’s got software for calculating course offsets caused by hull breaches, right?"

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

At a time when interest rates are rising quickly, there is no end of frightening headlines about how bond prices are falling at the same time, offsetting the benefit of the increased income.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

The company doesn’t typically provide segment breakdowns for preliminary results, but most analysts expect its semiconductor division to have driven strong quarterly earnings, offsetting weakness in home appliances, mobile devices and other nonchip businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Retail trade decreased in July, largely offsetting an expansion the month before.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

How should I structure my $1.53 million portfolio to provide additional passive income while also offsetting inflation?

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

Me and TaShon lean back, offsetting the tree’s drop into the water.

From "Ninth Ward" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Related Words

• balance
• cancel out
• counteract
• equal
• negate
• neutralize
• outweigh