offence

American  

[uh-fens, aw-fens, of-ens] / əˈfɛns, ˈɔ fɛns, ˈɒf ɛns /

noun

British.

1. variant of offense.

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offence British  

/ əˈfɛns /

noun

1. a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc

2. 1. any public wrong or crime

   2. a nonindictable crime punishable on summary conviction

3. annoyance, displeasure, or resentment

4. to cause annoyance or displeasure to someone

5. to feel injured, humiliated, or offended

6. a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger

7. attack; assault

8. archaic injury or harm

9. American football

   1. the team that has possession of the ball

   2. the members of a team that play in such circumstances

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Other Word Forms

• offenceless adjective

Compare meaning

How does offence compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• offence vs. defence

Example Sentences

It is understood the offence was initially seen by the TV umpire before the on-field umpires gave the punishment.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

"This happened eight years ago, it was not meant to cause any offence but it did cause offence, and I rectified that offence. All the people involved were satisfied with that."

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Garnacho was also charged with failing to respond to a Greater Manchester Police letter about the offence when he was asked to identify the driver of his car in October last year.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

"Mr Garnacho accepts that he committed the offence of exceeding the speed limit and has pleaded guilty to the offence," his lawyers at JMW Solicitors wrote.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

‘Those kids in Cabin Seventeen - they’re rz^cr-competitive. When it comes to capture the flag, they’re almost worse than the Ares kids. Uh, no offence, Frank.’

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan