offence
Americannoun
noun
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a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc
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any public wrong or crime
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a nonindictable crime punishable on summary conviction
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annoyance, displeasure, or resentment
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to cause annoyance or displeasure to someone
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to feel injured, humiliated, or offended
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a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger
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attack; assault
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archaic injury or harm
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American football
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the team that has possession of the ball
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the members of a team that play in such circumstances
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Other Word Forms
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Explanation
Offence is the British spelling of offense, meaning "a punishable act." If you break a law for the first time, it’s your first offence. The noun offence comes from the Latin word offendere, which means “strike against.” Any time you break a law or a rule it is an offence against that law or rule. Also meaning "rudeness" — or the anger caused by it. In countries like the United States, the preferred spelling is offense, so don't take offense if someone corrects you.
Vocabulary lists containing offence
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Three further defendants - Mark Butler, 45, David James, 58, and Terry Stephens, 67 - also appeared in court on Friday accused of the same offence.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
Ben Collins: Cincinnati have remedied their defence and still have a top offence.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
Judge Michael O'Grady KC described the offence as "very grave".
From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026
"I can confirm that Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu have been formally charged... with the offence of treason," lawyer Kambwa Aongola told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
