Offset
/ˈɔːfˌsɛt/
nounverbadjectiveB2
Definition
Offset means to make something less strong or less bad by having an opposite effect. For example, if one thing causes a problem, an offset can reduce or fix that problem. As a noun, it is the thing that balances or cancels out another. As a verb, it means to balance or correct something by doing the opposite. As an adjective, it describes something that is not in a straight line or not in the usual position.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Noun: Something that balances or cancels out another effect
- •The company bought trees as an offset for its carbon emissions.
- •The offset in the design made the picture look more interesting.
- •There is an offset between the two parts that helps balance the machine.
Verb: To balance or reduce the effect of something by doing the opposite
- •The profits offset the losses from last year.
- •She offset the cost of the trip by working extra hours.
- •The new policy offsets the negative effects of pollution.
Adjective: Positioned away from the center or usual place
- •The offset wheel made the car handle better.
- •The picture frame has an offset design for a modern look.
- •The offset printing process uses plates that are not directly in contact with the paper.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "offset" like "balance," but more about fixing or reducing a problem by adding something opposite.
- ✓Picture a scale with two sides: if one side is heavy, the other side adds weight to offset it, making the scale even.
- ✓It's the feeling when you eat a sweet dessert but then drink water to offset the sweetness.
- ✓Sounds like "OFF-set" → imagine turning something OFF to SET it back to normal.
- ✓Think of a seesaw where one side goes down and the other side goes up to offset the weight.
- ✓NOT like "add" (which only adds more), offset means to add something that reduces or balances.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (which does nothing), offset means to actively fix or balance.
- ✓As an adjective, NOT like "centered," offset means moved a little to the side or not lined up straight.
Try Other Words
- •Counterbalance: something that balances or opposes (Use when emphasizing equal weight or force in opposite directions)
- •Compensate: to make up for something (Use when talking about fixing or making something less bad)
- •Counteract: to act against something to reduce its effect (Use when focusing on reducing negative effects)
- •Displaced: moved from the usual place (Use when describing physical position, like the adjective offset)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "off" (away, opposite) + "set" (to put or place)
- •Etymology: From Old English "settan" (to put, place) combined with "off" meaning away or opposite direction
- •Historical development: Originally meant to place something away from another or to compensate; used in printing and finance from the 19th century
- •Modern usage: Used in many fields like finance, printing, environment, and design to mean balancing, compensating, or positioning away from center
Reflect & Connect
•How can offsetting negative effects help in everyday decisions, like eating or spending money?
•In what ways does physical offset (like in design or machines) affect how things look or work?
Fill in the blanks
1.The company planted trees to offset the ___ caused by its factories.
2.She worked extra hours to offset the ___ of buying a new phone.
3.The offset in the picture frame made the image look more ___.
4.Profits from one project can offset the ___ from another.
5.The wheel was offset to improve the car’s ___ on the road.
6.You can offset your carbon footprint by ___ activities like planting trees.
7.The machine’s parts were offset to avoid ___ when it moved.