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/ˈɔːf.sɛt/
Meaning & Definition
noun
A payment or benefit that serves to make up for a loss or disadvantage.
The company offered a financial offset to employees affected by the relocation.
A counterbalance; something that reduces or counteracts the effect of something else.
The positive sales in the second quarter acted as an offset to the losses sustained in the first quarter.
verb
To counteract or compensate for something.
The government plans to offset the tax increase with additional public services.
To place something in a position that is not directly aligned with something else.
The designer chose to offset the picture to the right for better visual appeal.
Etymology
Middle English, from off + set.
Common Phrases and Expressions
offset account:
An account designed to assist in balancing or compensating for another account.
carbon offset:
A reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions produced elsewhere.
offset printing:
A widely used printing technique characterized by transferring ink from a plate to a rubber blanket, and then to paper.
Related Words
Slang Meanings
To cancel out or negate something.
I had a late night, but I offset it with a long nap.
To reduce the impact of something.
His charm offset the awkwardness of the situation.