ENGLISH
REFERENCE

offset

v. · n.
US //ˈɔfˌsɛt// UK //ˈɒfsɛt// off·set
  1. 1 to balance or compensate (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to balance the effect of something else so that the situation remains fair or neutral.

    to counteract or compensate for a specific effect by applying an equal and opposite force or value.

    Example

    The company planted thousands of trees to offset the pollution from its factories.

    Example

    The gains made in the technology sector were largely offset by significant losses in energy stocks, leaving the index virtually unchanged at the close of trading.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of carbon emissions, finances, or physical forces.
  2. 2 a counterbalancing thing (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    something that acts as a balance to something else.

    a consideration or amount that diminishes or balances the effect of a contrary one.

    Example

    The high cost of the house was a fair offset to its perfect location.

    Example

    The tax credits provided a necessary offset to the increased operational costs incurred during the first phase of the expansion.
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  1. 3 printing process (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Technical

    a common way of printing where ink is moved from a plate to a rubber surface before touching the paper.

    a widely used printing technique in which the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface.

    Example

    The magazine is produced using offset printing to keep the colours sharp.

    Example

    The publisher opted for offset lithography to ensure high-quality image reproduction across the entire print run of the art book.
  2. 4 distance or displacement (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    the distance between one thing and another, or how far something is out of line.

    the amount or distance by which something is out of alignment or displaced from a base point.

    Example

    The programmer had to calculate the offset to find the correct data in the memory.

    Example

    A slight offset in the structural beams required the engineers to recalibrate the entire support system before proceeding with the roof installation.

    Usage

    Common in programming to describe the distance from a starting memory address.
  3. 5 botany/plants (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    a small new plant that grows off the side of a main plant.

    a lateral shoot or bulb that develops from the main stem of a plant and can be used for propagation.

    Example

    You can grow a new plant by carefully removing an offset from the mother cactus.

    Example

    The gardener propagated the rare succulent by separating the offsets that had formed around the base of the primary rosette.
Origin

From off- + set, used to construct the noun form of the verb to set off. Compare Middle English ofsetten (“to encumber, harass, beset, besiege”), from Old English ofsettan (“to press, oppress, overwhelm, crush”).

Word family

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