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Offing: meaning, definitions and examples

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offing

 

[ ˈɔfɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

nautical term

The term 'offing' refers to the distant part of the sea or ocean visible from the shore. It is often used in maritime and naval contexts to describe an area that is beyond the immediate sight of land. In sailing, 'offing' can indicate where ships may anchor or where navigable waters lie. This term is particularly relevant when discussing weather observations, navigational hazards, or potential landfall points for vessels.

Synonyms

horizon, ocean, sea

Examples of usage

  • The sails dipped below the horizon as the ship disappeared into the offing.
  • Fishermen often watch the offing for signs of incoming storms.
  • The offing was dotted with the silhouettes of distant cargo ships.

Translations

Translations of the word "offing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mar aberto

🇮🇳 सागर का खुला क्षेत्र

🇩🇪 Offenmeer

🇮🇩 laut terbuka

🇺🇦 відкритий океан

🇵🇱 otwarte morze

🇯🇵 外海

🇫🇷 mer ouverte

🇪🇸 mar abierto

🇹🇷 açık deniz

🇰🇷 열린 바다

🇸🇦 البحر المفتوح

🇨🇿 otevřené moře

🇸🇰 otvorené more

🇨🇳 开阔海域

🇸🇮 odprto morje

🇮🇸 opið haf

🇰🇿 ашық теңіз

🇬🇪 ღია ზღვა

🇦🇿 açıq dəniz

🇲🇽 mar abierto

Etymology

The word 'offing' is derived from the Old English 'ofing', meaning 'off' or 'away from'. Its origins can be traced back to nautical terminology, as sailors needed to describe distances and locations relative to the shore and the sea. The usage of 'offing' has remained relatively stable since its introduction, being primarily employed in maritime discussions. The evolution of shipping and navigation further solidified the importance of this word in the English lexicon, as it captured the need for precise descriptions of distant waters where ships might operate safely or encounter various conditions. The term encapsulates not just a physical space, but also a sense of anticipation for sailors who navigate the often unpredictable expanses of ocean.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,216, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.