offset

US /ˈɔ:fset/

UK /ˈɒfset/

B1

noun

  • Compensation or counterbalance
  • The distance from a starting point, especially in computer programming.
  • A payment or action that compensates for carbon dioxide emissions.
  • A printing technique in which the image is transferred to a rubber surface and then to paper.

verb

  • To compensate for or counterbalance the effect of
  • To counterbalance or counteract something.

adjective

  • (Of printing) using inked plates

Examples

Your donations to charity can be offset against tax.

The money will help offset big medical bills.