Standard Lemma guide

offset

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

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, programming, sciences

Examples

  • 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.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: offset printing

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: printing, printing process

Narrower terms: photo-offset printing, photo-offset, letterset printing

21

noun

Meaning 21

a natural consequence of development

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: outgrowth, branch, offshoot

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: consequence, effect, outcome, result, event, issue, upshot

22

noun

Meaning 22

a horizontal branch from the base of plant that produces new plants from buds at its tips

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: stolon, runner

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: plant organ

23

noun

Meaning 23

a compensating equivalent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: counterbalance

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: compensation

24

noun

Meaning 24

the time at which something is supposed to begin

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • they got an early start
  • she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: beginning, commencement, first, outset, get-go, start, kickoff, starting time, showtime

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: point, point in time

Narrower terms: birth, incipiency, incipience, terminus a quo, starting point, threshold

25

verb

Meaning 25

produce by offset printing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • offset the conference proceedings

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: print, impress

26

verb

Meaning 26

create an offset in

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • offset a wall

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: make, create

27

verb

Meaning 27

cause (printed matter) to transfer or smear onto another surface

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: transfer

28

verb

Meaning 28

make up for

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • His skills offset his opponent's superior strength

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cancel, set off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: balance, equilibrate, equilibrize, equilibrise

Narrower terms: counteract, countervail, neutralize, counterbalance

29

verb

Meaning 29

compensate for or counterbalance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • offset deposits and withdrawals

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: countervail

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: balance, equilibrate, equilibrize, equilibrise

History

Etymology

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.

  • Bulgarian: обезщетение (obezštetenie) — compensating equivalent
  • Bulgarian: компенсация (kompensacija) — compensating equivalent
  • Chinese Mandarin: 补偿 (bǔcháng) — compensating equivalent
  • Chinese Mandarin: 抵销 (dǐxiāo) — compensating equivalent
  • Dutch: compensatie — compensating equivalent
  • Finnish: hyvitys — compensating equivalent
  • Finnish: kompensaatio — compensating equivalent
  • French: compensation — compensating equivalent
  • German: Kompensierung — compensating equivalent
  • Hungarian: kárpótlás — compensating equivalent
  • Hungarian: ellentételezés — compensating equivalent
  • Hungarian: kiegyenlítés — compensating equivalent
  • Hungarian: ellensúly — compensating equivalent
  • Portuguese: compensação — compensating equivalent
  • Portuguese: contrapartida — compensating equivalent
  • Russian: компенса́ция (kompensácija) — compensating equivalent
  • Russian: возмеще́ние (vozmeščénije) — compensating equivalent
  • Chinese Mandarin: 抵销贸易 (dǐxiāomàoyì) — countertrade arrangement
  • Dutch: tegenpartij — countertrade arrangement
  • Finnish: kompensaatiokauppa — countertrade arrangement
  • French: compensation — countertrade arrangement
  • French: offset — countertrade arrangement
  • French: compensation industrielle — countertrade arrangement
  • Italian: contropartita — countertrade arrangement
  • Bulgarian: начало (načalo) — time at which something begins
  • Dutch: begin — time at which something begins
  • Finnish: alku — time at which something begins
  • Finnish: aloitus — time at which something begins
  • French: début — time at which something begins
  • German: Anbeginn — time at which something begins
  • Hungarian: kezdet — time at which something begins
  • Italian: inizio — time at which something begins
  • Portuguese: início — time at which something begins
  • Chinese Mandarin: 偏移 (piānyí) — difference in memory addresses
  • Dutch: offset — difference in memory addresses
  • Finnish: siirtymä — difference in memory addresses
  • Finnish: siirros — difference in memory addresses
  • French: offset — difference in memory addresses
  • German: Adressabstand — difference in memory addresses
  • German: Offset — difference in memory addresses
  • Hebrew: היסט (hesset) — difference in memory addresses
  • Hungarian: eltolás — difference in memory addresses
  • Marathi: ऑफसेट (ŏphseṭ) — difference in memory addresses
  • Portuguese: offset — difference in memory addresses
  • Russian: смеще́ние (smeščénije) — difference in memory addresses
  • Spanish: desplazamiento — difference in memory addresses
  • Turkish: öteleme — difference in memory addresses
  • Turkish: uzaklık — difference in memory addresses
  • Bulgarian: отместване (otmestvane) — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Catalan: decalatge — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Catalan: decalatges — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Chinese Mandarin: 偏差 (piānchā) — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Dutch: sprong — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Dutch: verspringing — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Finnish: siirros — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Finnish: poikkeama (linjasta) — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • French: décalage — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • German: Abweichung — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Hungarian: eltérés — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Hungarian: eltolódás — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Italian: discrepanza — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Italian: discrepanze — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Portuguese: desalinhamento — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Portuguese: diferença — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Portuguese: discrepância — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Russian: отступ (otstup) — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Spanish: desfase — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Spanish: desfasaje — distance by which one thing is out of alignment with another
  • Bulgarian: компенсирам (kompensiram) — to compensate for something
  • Bulgarian: обезщетявам (obezštetjavam) — to compensate for something
  • Esperanto: kompensi — to compensate for something
  • Finnish: kompensoida — to compensate for something
  • Finnish: korvata — to compensate for something
  • French: compenser — to compensate for something
  • French: contrebalancer — to compensate for something
  • German: ausgleichen — to compensate for something
  • Hungarian: kiegyenlít — to compensate for something
  • Hungarian: ellensúlyoz — to compensate for something
  • Hungarian: ellentételez — to compensate for something
  • Hungarian: beszámít — to compensate for something
  • Hungarian: kompenzál — to compensate for something
  • Hungarian: kárpótol — to compensate for something
  • Irish: cúitigh — to compensate for something
  • Italian: compensare — to compensate for something
  • Italian: controbilanciare — to compensate for something
  • Portuguese: compensar — to compensate for something
  • Russian: компенси́ровать (kompensírovatʹ) — to compensate for something
  • Russian: возмеща́ть (vozmeščátʹ) — to compensate for something
  • Spanish: subsanar — to compensate for something
  • Spanish: desfasar — to compensate for something
  • Ukrainian: компенсува́ти (kompensuváty) — to compensate for something
  • Ukrainian: нівелюва́ти (niveljuváty) — to compensate for something
Real reading context

offset in complete knowledge articles