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

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.

Example Sentences

Ali will be sentenced alongside the first man, who is an Afghan national, convicted of the offence.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

Entering the UK without permission is an offence under immigration law, but asylum seekers are generally not prosecuted if they claim asylum on arrival.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Parsons added that "what happened was wrong" but the club "cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence".

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Courts are currently required to consider issuing a Parenting Order where a child under 16 has been convicted of an offence.

From BBC • May 18, 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