offshore

off-shore · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    (adjective) Located in the sea, away from the coast.

  2. 2.

    (adjective) Based or operating in a foreign country, especially to take advantage of lower taxes or regulations.

  3. 3.

    (adverb) Away from the shore; toward the sea.

  4. 4.

    (adjective) Relating to business conducted in a foreign location.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    offshore banking — Banking services in foreign countries with favorable regulations
  • •
    offshore drilling — Extracting oil or gas from beneath the ocean floor
  • •
    offshore wind — Wind energy generated at sea

Related words

Antonyms: inland, onshore
See also: coastal, onshore, overseas
Synonyms: overseas, seaward

Etymology

Compound of English off ("away from") + shore, first used in the nautical sense, later extended to financial and business contexts.