offset

1 of 2

verb

off·set ˈȯf-ˌset

transitive senses are also ȯf-ˈset

offset; offsetting; offsets

transitive verb

: to place over against something : balance

credits offset debits

: to serve as a counterbalance for : compensate

his speed offset his opponent's greater weight

: to form an offset in

offset a wall

intransitive verb

: to become marked by offset

offset

2 of 2

noun

off·set ˈȯf-ˌset

: something that serves to counterbalance or to compensate for something else

demands conspicuous offsets to the enemy's successes

especially : either of two balancing ledger items

a(1)

: a short prostrate (see prostrate entry 1 sense 3) lateral shoot arising from the base of a plant

(2)

: a small bulb arising from the base of another bulb

: a lateral or collateral (see collateral entry 2 sense 2) branch (as of a family or race) : offshoot

: a spur (see spur entry 1 sense 4a) from a range of hills

: a printing process in which an inked impression from a plate is first made on a rubber-blanketed cylinder and then transferred to the paper being printed

: unintentional transfer of ink (as from a freshly printed sheet)

: displacement

: a horizontal ledge on the face of a wall formed by a diminution of its thickness above

: an abrupt change in the dimension or profile of an object (such as a bowl) or the part set off by such change

: something that sets off to advantage or embellishes something else : foil

The clown was a humorous offset in the play.

: an abrupt bend in an object (such as a pipe or a rod) by which one part is turned aside out of line

: cessation

rapid regular beating of the heart … characterized by sudden onset and sudden offset

H. J. Stewart

archaic : outset, start

offset adjective or adverb

Example Sentences

Verb Gains in one area offset losses in another. The limited storage space in the house is offset by the large garage. Noun a better performance this time will be an offset to last year's dismal showing symptoms that were striking for their abrupt onset and their equally abrupt offset

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These losses were partially offset by the addition of 4,400 more Latino and multiracial students, but overall enrollment has plunged by more than 13,000 since 2002 — and appears poised to keep falling as long as Black families continue opting out.

Jenna Russell, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Nov. 2022 The home features spectacular stonework on the facade and interiors that are offset by walls of glass.

Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2022 The increase in mechanical revenue was partially offset by the impact of exchange rates.

Jem Aswad, Variety, 22 Nov. 2022 Democrats also saw a net gain of two governorships, with pickups in Arizona, Maryland, and Massachusetts offset by a loss in Nevada.

Laleh Ispahani, The New Republic, 18 Nov. 2022 While overall company sales were up 2% from last year to $4 billion for the quarter ended October 29, the retailer noted that sales growth at both Gap and Old Navy were offset by weaker sales in kids and baby categories.

Parija Kavilanz, CNN, 18 Nov. 2022 State law requires that California’s emissions be reduced at least 40% by 2030 and 85% by 2045, at which point any emissions from human activity would be offset by natural ecosystems and other solutions.

Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2022 The estimated deficit is lower because some of those revenue losses were offset by lower spending in other parts of the budget.

Adam Beam, ajc, 16 Nov. 2022 The lack of a voter backlash against Democrats over the economy suggests that the pain imposed by inflation may be offset in part by the high level of employment, experts told ABC News.

Max Zahn, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2022

Noun

In a recent cost-effectiveness analysis of the drug, weighing health benefits against offset costs, ICER suggested that a fair price for the drug to be between $2.93 million and $2.96 million.

Deidre Mcphillips, CNN, 23 Nov. 2022 Developers have instead paid into an offset fund or sought waivers.

Emily Opilo, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2022 Berkshire Hathaway swung to a loss as a volatile stock market and losses from insurance underwriting offset gains in its manufacturing, service and retail businesses.

WSJ, 7 Nov. 2022 Cullenward says many carbon offset companies exaggerate the additionality of projects.

Taylor Moore, Time, 28 Oct. 2022 In a double blow, in some cases the forests that burn are dedicated to carbon offset programs.

Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2022 The recipient of the payment generally is going to get capital gain with basis offset.

Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2022 Valuations could provide an offset to falling earnings, of course.

James Mackintosh, WSJ, 13 Nov. 2022 On Wednesday, John Kerry, the former secretary of state who serves as Biden’s climate envoy, announced a carbon offset scheme designed to help funnel private sector money to developing countries.

Time, 11 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'offset.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.