I. off ‧ set 1 AC /ˈɒfset, ˌɒfˈset $ ˈɒːfset, ˌɒːfˈset/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle offset , present participle offsetting ) [transitive]
1 . if the cost or amount of something offsets another cost or amount, the two things have an opposite effect so that the situation remains the same:
Cuts in prices for milk, butter, and cheese will be offset by direct payments to farmers.
offset something against something
He was able to offset his travel expenses against tax.
2 . to make something look better by being close to it and different:
His blonde hair offset a deep tan.
II. off ‧ set 2 /ˈɒfset $ ˈɒːf-/ BrE AmE adjective
relating to a method of printing in which ink is put onto ↑ roller s and the paper then passes between the rollers
—offset noun [uncountable]