Definitions

1. noun

a difference or amount by which one thing is greater or smaller than another

“The company’s profits were offset by the losses in the previous quarter.”

2. noun

a device or mechanism that counteracts or balances something, such as a counterweight or a balancing system

“The offset in the machine helped to stabilize the spinning blades.”

3. verb

to find or specify the point at which something, such as a line or a shape, intersects or crosses another

“Can you offset the edges of the paper to fit it in the frame?”

4. verb

to reduce or counteract the effect of something

“The cold weather will offset the effects of the heatwave.”

5. verb

to calculate or determine the amount by which something is offset

“The accountant had to offset the company’s taxes for the year.”