offence
/ə'fens/
Definition
- Noun:
- A violation of a law or rule; a crime: An act that is punishable by law or breaks an established rule.
- The act of causing anger, resentment, or hurt feelings: An action or remark that is insulting or upsetting.
- The feeling of being upset or angry because of an insult: The emotional reaction of being hurt or angered by someone's words or actions.
- (In sports) The team or players who are attempting to score: The side that has possession of the ball or puck and is trying to advance it to score points.
- The action of attacking an enemy: The act of launching an attack in a military or combative context.
Usage Examples
- As a crime or violation:
- Driving under the influence is a serious offence.
- The company was fined for a regulatory offence.
- As an insulting action:
- His rude comment was an offence to everyone present.
- I meant no offence by my remark.
- As the feeling of being upset:
- She took offence at the suggestion that she was lazy.
- He is quick to take offence.
- In sports:
- The team's offence scored three touchdowns in the first quarter.
- He plays on the offence.
- As an attack:
- The castle's defences were strong against any offence. (Note: This usage is less common in modern English, where "attack" or "offensive" is often preferred.)
Advanced Usage
- "No offence": A phrase used to indicate that one does not intend to insult someone, often before or after a potentially critical statement.
- No offence, but I think your plan needs more work.
- "To give offence": To cause someone to feel upset or insulted.
- His blunt manner often gives offence without him realizing it.
Variants and Related Words
- Offend (verb): To cause someone to feel upset, annoyed, or resentful; to break a law or rule.
- I didn't mean to offend you.
- Offensive (adjective):
- Causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry.
- Offensive language.
- Relating to the act of attacking in sports or war.
- Offensive strategy.
- Offensive (noun): A concerted military or sporting attack.
- The army launched a major offensive.
Synonyms
- Crime: An illegal act.
- Insult: A disrespectful or scornful remark or action.
- Umbrage: Offence or annoyance.
- Attack: An aggressive action against an enemy.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
(Note: "Offence" is a noun and does not typically form phrasal verbs. The related verb "offend" forms phrases.) - Offend against: To violate or break (a law, principle, etc.). - The new policy offends against the principles of free speech.
Related Idioms
- The best defence is a good offence: Proverb meaning that being proactive and attacking a problem is the most effective way to deal with it.
- To take offence: To become upset or angry because of something said or done.
- You mustn't take offence; she didn't intend it personally.
Noun
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(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
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a long record of crimes
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a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
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a feeling of anger caused by being offended
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he took offence at my question
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the team that has the ball (or puck) and is trying to score
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the action of attacking an enemy
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