- a variation of offense.
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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How does offence compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
The leader of Oxfordshire County Council Tim Bearder said: "With no offence to my friends in Wiltshire, you are not in the Thames Valley."
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Since April, it has been an offence to possess electronic devices used in vehicle thefts, but Glantz believes legislation is still failing to keep pace with the criminals.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
Cornwall Council said there was "no excuse" for the offence, and that it would hold fly-tippers to account.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
Schmidt has acknowledged that his words and gesture "were inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt", adding that the clip was recorded at a private gathering and "not intended for the public".
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Kali sniffed, but she was good-natured and did not take offence.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
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.
