Dictionary.com

offend

[ uh-fend ]
/ əˈfɛnd /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: offend / offended / offending / offends on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger: a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.
to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of offend

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English offenden, from Middle French offendre, from Latin offendere “to strike against, displease,” equivalent to of- of- + -fendere “to strike”

OTHER WORDS FROM offend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use offend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for offend

offend
/ (əˈfɛnd) /

verb
to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person)
(tr) to be disagreeable to; disgustthe smell offended him
(intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general)

Derived forms of offend

offender, nounoffending, adjective

Word Origin for offend

C14: via Old French offendre to strike against, from Latin offendere, from ob- against + fendere to strike
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK