offense
uh-FEHNS
Offense (noun) means a wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule. Example: “Parking on a double yellow line is an offense that carries a fine.”
noun
1
A wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule.
"Parking on a double yellow line is an offense that carries a fine."
"Speeding is a minor traffic offense in most states."
"He was arrested for a second offense within a year."
2
A feeling of hurt or anger caused by something insulting or disrespectful.
"He took offense when his friend laughed at his old coat."
"She took offense at the joke about her accent."
"No offense was meant by the comment."
3
In sports, the team or players trying to score, as opposed to defense.
"The coach changed the offense so the team could attack down the wings."
"Our offense scored twice early on, and then the defense held firm."
"The offense struggled to move the ball in the second half."
How to use offense
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a rule-breaking act, the hurt feeling from an insult, or (in sports) the scoring team.
UK vs US
American English spells it "offense"; British English usually prefers "offence".
Easily confused with
Common pairings
take offense
no offense
a criminal offense
go on the offense
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Word forms
- Plural
- offenses
Fill the gap
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Parking on a double yellow line is an _____ that carries a fine.
Etymology
From Old French offense, from Latin offensa, "a striking against" — from the same root as offend.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for offense
See all rhymes for offense →Frequently asked questions
What does “offense” mean?
The word “offense” means a wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule. In plain terms, either a rule-breaking act, the hurt feeling from an insult, or (in sports) the scoring team.
How do you pronounce “offense”?
“Offense” is pronounced uh-FEHNS (/əˈfɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “offense” in a sentence?
Here is “offense” used in a sentence: “Speeding is a minor traffic offense in most states.”
What is another word for “offense”?
Words with a similar meaning to “offense” include affront, barb, burn, dis, diss and insult.
What part of speech is “offense”?
“Offense” is a noun.
Where does the word “offense” come from?
The word “offense” comes from Latin. From Old French offense, from Latin offensa, "a striking against" — from the same root as offend.
Is “offense” a common word?
“Offense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “offense” have?
“Offense” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wrongdoing, crime, or breach of a rule.
What is the difference between "offense" and "offence"?
They are the same word spelled differently: "offense" is standard in American English, while "offence" is the British and Commonwealth spelling. Both mean a wrongdoing or a feeling of hurt caused by something insulting.
What is the difference between "offense" and "crime"?
A "crime" is specifically an act punishable by law, while an "offense" is broader and can mean any breach of a rule, including minor violations that are not criminal. All crimes are offenses, but not every offense is a crime.
What are common collocations with "offense"?
Common collocations include "criminal offense," "minor offense," "first offense," "cause offense," and "take offense." The first three use the wrongdoing sense, while the last two use the sense of hurt feelings.
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