to make something look better by being close to it and different

[kadioguy]

offset
verb
to make something look better by being close to it and different
His blonde hair offset a deep tan.

https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/offset
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Does it mean "to make something look better by being close to it and different" or "to make something look better by being close to it and (by being) different"?

 

[SoothingDave]

The latter.

 

[teechar]

"Offset" has a much broader meaning than that! It just means that one quality/property acts against another to lessen the first's effect/significance/intensity.

Take a look at entry #1 for "offset" as a verb in the following link:

Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words

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