# offset vs onset

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### offset
*noun · IPA /ˈɒf.sɛt/ · frequency rank #7,256*
Anything that acts as counterbalance; a compensating equivalent.

### onset
*noun · IPA /ˈɒnˌsɛt/ · frequency rank #10,900*
The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/offset-vs-onset