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Synonyms

offside

American  
[awf-sahyd, of-] / ˈɔfˈsaɪd, ˈɒf- /

adjective

  1. Sports. illegally beyond a prescribed line or area or in advance of the ball or puck at the beginning of or during play or a play.

    The touchdown was nullified because the offensive left tackle was offside.

  2. with or in doubtful propriety or taste; risqué.

    an offside joke.
offside British  
/ ˈɒfˈsaɪd /

adjective

  1. sport (in football, hockey, etc) in a position illegally ahead of the ball or puck when it is played, usually when within one's opponents' half or the attacking zone

"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

noun

    1. the side of a vehicle nearest the centre of the road (in Britain, the right side)

    2. ( as modifier )

      the offside passenger door
"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

Etymology

Origin of offside

First recorded in 1840–50; off + side 1

Vocabulary lists containing offside

A Soccer and a Football Special

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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 Galaxy pleaded for an offside call but were ignored.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

So, for the players themselves, how do they feel about the prospect of this new offside rule?

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

One of those especially invested in the league will be former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now Fifa's chief of global football development, whose new 'daylight' offside rule is being trialled by the CPL.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Anthony, scorer of Burnley's second goal, was offside by the width of his shoulder, something he described as "disappointing".

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

The Lightning made a run, took a shot, and appeared to score, but the linesman raised his flag to signify offside.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

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.