offset

/ɒfˈsɛt/noun

Something that balances out or makes up for something else.

Example sentences

“The tax break serves as an offset to the higher fuel prices.”
“Planting trees can act as an offset for a company's carbon emissions.”

Carbon offsets are the sense most in the news: payments meant to balance out emissions.

Featured as word of the day on August 13, 2026.

Synonyms for offset

counterbalance
counterweight
compensation

On the Academic Word List. Find it in: Academic vocabulary.

Related words

counteractTo reduce or cancel the effect of something by doing something that works against it.negateTo cancel out the effect of something, so that it no longer has any value or result.offspringA person's child or children.offlineNot connected to the internet or to a larger network.ointmentA thick, oily cream, usually containing medicine, that you rub on the skin to treat or soothe it.officeA room or building where people work at desks, often doing business or administrative tasks.