Perhaps the most difficult thing in the offshore world for lay people is to understand what offshore is all about. An important first step is to familiarise yourself with the terms that are commonly used to help you navigate this business environment and to understand the literature. As in the main areas of business, a knowledge of English is an advantage in the offshore business world, but the relevant vocabulary can be acquired without it. The following terms are included in the "Offshore dictionary":
| Offshore: | a company that does not carry out any economic activity at the place of registration |
| Offshore company: | offshore company |
| Offshore companies: | offshore companies |
| Offshore banking: | Offshore banking services |
| Offshore account: | offshore account |
| Offshore outsourcing: | offshore outsourcing |
| Offshore services: | offshore services |
| Offshore bank account: | offshore bank account |
| Offshore banks: | offshore banks |
| Seychelles offshore: | Seychelles offshore |
| Offshore island: | Offshore island |
| Offshore online | online offshore |
| Offshore company formation: | offshore company formation |
| Offshore incorporate: | offshore company registration |
| Offshore Belize: | Belize offshore |
| Tax heaven: | tax haven |
| Offshore legal: | offshore law |
| Legal offshore: | legal offshore |
| Offshore asset management: | offshore asset management |
| Property protection | asset protection |
| Security: | Defence |
| Futures trading: | stock exchange trading |
| Offshore BVI (British Virgin Islands): | BVI offshore ( British Virgin Islands) |
