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.
Ch Insp Ian Roberts, of North Wales Police, said ignoring road closures and police cordons was "dangerous and may constitute a criminal offence".
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
"But I appreciate these are very serious issues and am sorry for any offence inadvertently caused by this moment of levity".
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Digwa, his brother and his father have pleaded not guilty to multiple weapons offence charges.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Rachel Williams said it was good news the offence was being taken seriously after becoming a standalone criminal offence four years ago, and that its effects can be catastrophic.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
“Your Holiness, no offence, we are sure. We were only at wishing to make an exchange of ideas.”
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
