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

"The handball law states that if a player scores in the opponents' goal immediately after the ball has touched their hand/arm, even if accidental, then it's a handball offence," he said.

From BBC

Under the Ballot Secrecy Act 2023, it is an offence to be in a polling booth with another person in order to influence that person to vote in a particular way.

From BBC

Failing to comply with a dispersal order became a criminal offence which could lead to arrest under the act.

From BBC

When challenged on this by the review Davies, who went to become Archbishop of Wales, said the prospect Pierce might have committed other offences involving other victims "did not occur to him".

From BBC

At present, it will not intervene on yellow cards - so downgrading Kelly's initial dismissal for a second bookable offence was never VAR's intention.

From BBC