setoff

1 of 2

noun

set·​off ˈset-ˌȯf 

1

: something that is set off against another thing:

a

: decoration, ornament

b

: compensation, counterbalance

2

: the reduction or discharge of a debt or claim by setting against it a distinct claim in favor of the debtor or party who is the object of the first claim (as in a lawsuit)

also : the offsetting claim itself

3

: offset sense 3b

set off

2 of 2

verb

set off; setting off; sets off

transitive verb

1

a

: to put in relief : show up by contrast

b

: adorn, embellish

c

: to set apart : make distinct or outstanding

2

a

: offset, compensate

more variety in the Lancashire weather to set off its most disagreeable phases

—Geog. Jour.

b

: to make a setoff of

the respective totals shall be set off against one another

—O. R. Hobson

3

a

: to set in motion : cause to begin

b

: to cause to explode

4

: to measure off on a surface

intransitive verb

: to start out on a course or a journey

set off for home

Synonyms

Noun

• adornment
• beautifier
• caparison
• decoration
• doodad
• embellisher
• embellishment
• frill
• garnish
• garnishment
• garniture
• ornament
• ornamentation
• trim

Verb

• activate
• actuate
• crank (up)
• drive
• move
• run
• spark
• start
• touch off
• trigger
• turn on

Examples of setoff in a Sentence

Noun

the architect used stone carvings as setoffs for the building's marble facing

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That setoff a worldwide hunt for the impact site. —Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 21 Feb. 2019

Verb

Donner delivers an unforgettable tale of precocious kids (including Sean Astin and Corey Feldman) who set off on a desperate attempt to find hidden treasure and save their parents’ homes. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2024

Police have identified the two women allegedly killed by a former Washington police officer who set off an Amber Alert this week after fleeing with his 1-year-old son across state lines. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

This often set off a flurry of computer searches by lawyers with sometimes only 30 minutes or so before cross-examination. —Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

While there has been no evidence made public that Chinese government officials have accessed Americans' information through TikTok, the idea that China has the theoretical ability to weaponize an app used by half of America has been enough to set off an all-out crackdown. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 20 Apr. 2024

The shortfall — largely a consequence of tax revenue on home sales falling far short of the city’s lofty projections — has set off alarm bells at City Hall, prompting union officials to appear at a council meeting Tuesday and warn against slashing rank-and-file jobs or even furloughing workers. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024

The July 26 showpiece is set to be the first not to take place inside a stadium, with the ambitious ceremony to instead feature 160 boats setting off along the Seine as huge crowds line the river's banks. —Patrick Smith, NBC News, 15 Apr. 2024

But Sunday’s assault, which set off air-raid sirens across Israel, was the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. —Tia Goldenberg, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2024

The pandemic set off a global shortage of semiconductors that crippled major industries and shed light on the vulnerabilities in the domestic supply chain for chips, motivating lawmakers to pass the CHIPS Act. —Don Clark, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1621, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

set off

verb

1

a

: to cause to show up clearly

bright flowers set off by dark shadows

b

: to separate from others : make noticeable

a direct quotation set off by quotation marks

2

a

: to cause to go off or explode

set off an alarm

set off a firecracker

b

: to cause to start : begin

set an argument off by your remarks

3

: to start out on a course or a trip

set off for home

set off in a boat

Legal Definition

set-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈset-ˌȯf

1

: the reduction or discharge of a debt by setting against it a claim in favor of the debtor

specifically : the reduction or discharge of a party's debt or claim by an assertion of another claim arising out of another transaction or cause of action against the other party

2

a

: a right to seek reduction or discharge of a debt or claim by countering a party's claim with an independent claim

b

: a counterclaim made by a defendant against a plaintiff for reduction or discharge of a debt by reason of an independent debt owed by the plaintiff to the defendant compare recoupment sense 2

set off

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to reduce or discharge by set-off : offset