setoff

[ set-awf, -of ]

/ ˈsɛtˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

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See synonyms for setoff on Thesaurus.com

noun

something that counterbalances or makes up for something else, as compensation for a loss.

Accounting. a counterbalancing debt or claim, especially one that cancels an amount a debtor owes.

Also called offset. Architecture.

a reduction in the thickness of a wall.
a flat or sloping projection on a wall, buttress, or the like, below a thinner part.

something used to enhance the effect of another thing by contrasting it, as an ornament.

Printing. offset (def. 7).

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of setoff

First recorded in 1615–25; noun use of verb phrase set off

Words nearby setoff

set in motion, set-in sleeve, setireme, set-jetting, setline, setoff, seton, Seto Naikai, set on a pedestal, set one back, set one back on one's feet

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for setoff (1 of 2)

set off

verb (adverb)

(intr) to embark on a journey

(tr) to cause (a person) to act or do something, such as laugh or tell stories

(tr) to cause to explode

(tr) to act as a foil or contrast to, esp so as to improvethat brooch sets your dress off well

(tr) accounting to cancel a credit on (one account) against a debit on another, both of which are in the name of the same person, enterprise, etc

(intr) to bring a claim by way of setoff

noun setoff

anything that serves as a counterbalance

anything that serves to contrast with or enhance something else; foil

another name for setbackSee set back (def. 5)

a counterbalancing debt or claim offered by a debtor against a creditor

a cross claim brought by a debtor that partly offsets the creditor's claimSee also counterclaim

British Dictionary definitions for setoff (2 of 2)

set-off

noun

printing a fault in which ink is transferred from a heavily inked or undried printed sheet to the sheet next to it in a pileAlso called (esp Brit): offset

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with setoff

set off

Give rise to, cause to occur, as in The acid set off a chemical reaction. [Early 1600s]

Cause to explode, as in They set off a bomb. [Late 1800s]

Distinguish, show to be different, contrast with, as in That black coat sets him off from the others in the picture, or Italics set this sentence off from the rest of the text. [Late 1500s]

Enhance, make more attractive, as in That color sets off her blonde hair. [Early 1600s]

Begin a journey, leave, as in When do you set off for Europe? [Second half of 1700s]