offence
Americannoun
noun
-
a violation or breach of a law, custom, rule, etc
-
-
any public wrong or crime
-
a nonindictable crime punishable on summary conviction
-
-
annoyance, displeasure, or resentment
-
to cause annoyance or displeasure to someone
-
to feel injured, humiliated, or offended
-
a source of annoyance, displeasure, or anger
-
attack; assault
-
archaic injury or harm
-
American football
-
the team that has possession of the ball
-
the members of a team that play in such circumstances
-
Other Word Forms
Compare meaning
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.
At Canterbury Crown Court on Friday, Judge Sarah Counsell said the offence was so serious "only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified".
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
Running a business, either directly or indirectly, would breach the terms of Hall's bankruptcy order and constitute a criminal offence.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
The culture secretary said she would "tighten up the law" to make doxxing, which involves leaking people's home addresses, a criminal offence.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
"We take a firm line on ads that are likely to cause serious or widespread offence and these ads are a clear example of why that matters," she said.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
Bingley was sure of being liked wherever he appeared, Darcy was continually giving offence.
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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.
