Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Noun: setoff
  1. Structure where a wall or building narrows abruptly
    - set-back, offset
Verb: set off  set óf
  1. Put in motion, initiate (a device, reaction, circuit, etc)
    "set off the circuits";
    - actuate, trigger, activate, spark off, spark, trigger off, touch off
     
  2. Head for somewhere else
    "The family set off for Florida";
    - depart, part, start, start out, set forth, set out, take off
     
  3. Direct attention to, as if by means of contrast
    "I set off these words by brackets";
    - bring out
     
  4. Cause to burst with a violent release of energy
    "We set off the nuclear bomb";
    - explode, detonate, blow up
     
  5. Make up for
    "His skills set off his opponent's superior strength";
    - cancel, offset
     
  6. Set in motion or cause to begin
     
  7. Provoke or stir up
    "set off great unrest among the people";
    - incite, instigate, stir up
     
  8. Cause to start, provoke or initiate (usually something negative or violent)
    "set off a huge argument";
    - kick off [informal], touch off, spark off, spark, trigger

Derived forms: setting off, set off, sets off, setoffs

See also: set

Type of: accent, accentuate, balance, begin, change integrity, commence, construction, emphasise [Brit], emphasize, equilibrate, equilibrise [Brit], equilibrize, go away, go forth, initiate, lead off, leave, off [informal], pioneer, provoke, punctuate, start, stimulate, stress, structure

Encyclopedia: Set off