Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
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

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.

Pep Guardiola's men should have received a penalty against Tottenham and a Liverpool goal should have been chalked off for offside.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Andoni Iraola's men had a goal ruled out for offside in a 0-0 draw with Chelsea.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

It was England who misinterpreted an on-field offside decision, causing a goal for Liverpool's Luis Diaz to be wrongly disallowed at Tottenham.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

At the top of the list was Thierno Barry's goal, with the Everton striker benefiting from being in an offside position thanks to a bizarre "assist" from City's Marc Guehi.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

They were called for one offside penalty, then another, and another.

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "offside" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com