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

Verb

set off a bomb

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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

Verb

The shooting set off a massive search, with investigators now offering a total reward of $60,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024

Most notably, the Alaskan earthquake of 1964 set off a catastrophic tsunami that devastated Crescent City, washing away 29 city blocks and killing at least 11 people. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 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