adj · adv · noun · verb · 29 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
UK:/ˈɒf.sɛt/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ˈɔf.sɛt/
cot-caught-merger:/ˈɑf.sɛt/
rhymes with -ɒfsɛt
rhymes with -ɑfsɛt
rhymes with -ɛt
UK:/ɒfˈsɛt/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:/ɔfˈsɛt/
cot-caught-merger:/ɑfˈsɛt/
CMU ARPABET:AO0 F S EH1 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:AO1 F S EH2 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Away from or off from the set of a movie, film, video, or play.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
Away from or off from the set of a movie, film, video, or play.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Anything that acts as counterbalance; a compensating equivalent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Today's victory was an offset to yesterday's defeat.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A form of countertrade arrangement, in which the seller agrees to purchase within a set time frame products of a certain value from the buying country. This kind of agreement may be used in large international public sector contracts such as arms sales.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: international trade
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A time at which something begins; outset.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
The offset printing process, in which ink is carried from a metal plate to a rubber blanket and from there to the printing surface.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive, often
Topics: media, printing, publishing
Examples
offset lithographs
offset process
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
noun
Meaning 7
The difference between a target memory address and a base address.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
An array of bytes uses its index as the offset, of words a multiple thereof.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
noun
Meaning 8
The displacement between the base level of a measurement and the signal's real base level.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: signal analysis
Examples
The raw signal data was subjected to a baseline correction process to subtract the sensor's offset and drift variations.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
noun
Meaning 9
The distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
There is a small offset between the switch and the indicator which some users found confusing.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
A short distance measured at right angles from a line actually run to some point in an irregular boundary, or to some object.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: geography, natural-sciences, surveying
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
noun
Meaning 11
An abrupt bend in an object, such as a rod, by which one part is turned aside out of line, but nearly parallel, with the rest; the part thus bent aside.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
noun
Meaning 12
A short prostrate shoot that takes root and produces a tuft of leaves, etc.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
noun
Meaning 13
A spur from a range of hills or mountains.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
noun
Meaning 14
A horizontal ledge on the face of a wall, formed by a diminution of its thickness, or by the weathering or upper surface of a part built out from it; a set-off.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: architecture
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
noun
Meaning 15
A terrace on a hillside.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: architecture
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
verb
Meaning 16
To counteract or compensate for, by applying a change in the opposite direction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
I'll offset the time difference locally.
to offset one charge against another
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
verb
Meaning 17
To place out of line.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
verb
Meaning 18
To form an offset in (a wall, rod, pipe, etc.).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
noun
Meaning 19
structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: set-back, setoff
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: structure, construction
20
noun
Meaning 20
a plate makes an inked impression on a rubber-blanketed cylinder, which in turn transfers it to the paper
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
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”).
Across languages
Translations
92 source translations are retained for this English entry.