offender
uh-FEHN-duh
Offender (noun) means a person who commits a crime or breaks the law. Example: “First-time offenders were offered community service instead of jail time.”
noun
1
A person who commits a crime or breaks the law.
"First-time offenders were offered community service instead of jail time."
"The police warned the repeat offender to stay away from the shop."
"Young offenders can join a programme that helps them find work."
2
A person or thing that causes a problem, especially repeatedly.
"Of all the apps draining her battery, social media was the worst offender."
"Plastic bags are often the main offender when drains get blocked."
"Loud chewing annoys me, and my brother is the worst offender."
How to use offender
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lawbreaker, or more loosely, whatever is most at fault for a problem.
Common pairings
a repeat offender
a first-time offender
the worst offender
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Word forms
- Plural
- offenders
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First-time _____ were offered community service instead of jail time.
Etymology
From "offend" plus the agent suffix "-er" — someone who offends.
Related words
Rhymes for offender
See all rhymes for offender →Frequently asked questions
What does “offender” mean?
The word “offender” means a person who commits a crime or breaks the law. In plain terms, a lawbreaker, or more loosely, whatever is most at fault for a problem.
How do you pronounce “offender”?
“Offender” is pronounced uh-FEHN-duh (/əˈfen.dɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “offender” in a sentence?
Here is “offender” used in a sentence: “First-time offenders were offered community service instead of jail time.”
What part of speech is “offender”?
“Offender” is a noun.
Is “offender” a common word?
“Offender” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “offender” have?
“Offender” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who commits a crime or breaks the law.
What is the difference between an offender and a criminal?
An offender is a person who commits a crime or breaks the law, which can include both minor and serious violations. Criminal is often used more broadly or informally for the same idea, but offender is the more precise and neutral term used in legal and law-enforcement contexts.
What does it mean to call something the main offender?
When used figuratively, offender can describe a person or thing that causes a problem, especially repeatedly, as in "sugar is the main offender behind tooth decay." This non-legal usage extends the word beyond crime to any recurring cause of trouble.
What is a first-time offender?
A first-time offender is someone who has committed a crime or broken the law for the first time, with no prior criminal record. The term is often relevant in legal proceedings, where sentencing may differ for first-time offenders compared with repeat offenders.
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