offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt 

1

a

: a collateral or derived branch, descendant, or member : outgrowth

b

: a lateral branch (as of a mountain range)

2

: a branch of a main stem especially of a plant

Synonyms of offshoot

• limb
• outgrowth
• sprout
• shoot
• growth

Examples of offshoot in a Sentence

The business started as an offshoot of an established fashion design company.

we knew the rosebush had survived the harsh winter when it began producing offshoots and turning green again

Recent Examples on the Web

And this is an offshoot and a companion product to the J490 smart home display. — Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 1 Oct. 2026

Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, a small militant group believed to be an offshoot of the TTP, claimed responsibility. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Since the Heroes offshoot ended after one season, Coleman has popped up on several other big shows, including How to Get Away with Murder, Hawaii Five-0, and Westworld. — Megan Vick, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026

In 1952 a difference of opinion over membership on the leadership council in Short Creek led to rival factions, one of which, in 1954, became the offshoot Apostolic United Brethren (AUB), the second largest of the fundamentalist groups. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for offshoot

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• compute
• confute
• dilute
• dispute
• elute

Kids Definition

offshoot

noun

off·​shoot ˈȯf-ˌshüt 

1

: something that branches out from something else

2

: a branch of a main stem of a plant