Offense

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ʌˈfÉ›ns/, /ɒˈfÉ›ns/, /əˈfÉ›ns/
• Rhymes: -É›ns

Alternative forms

• British English offence

Origin

From Latin offensa ("a striking against; displeasure; injury").

Full definition of offense

Noun

1. The act of offending:
1. a crime or sin
• 2006, w, Internal Combustion Chapter 2, The popular late Middle Ages fictional character Robin Hood, dressed in green to symbolize the forest, dodged fines for forest offenses and stole from the rich to give to the poor. But his appeal was painfully real and embodied the struggle over wood.
2. an affront, insult or injury.
• DrydenI have given my opinion against the authority of two great men, but I hope without offence to their memories.
2. The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.
3. (team sports) (often IPA: /ˈɒ fɛns/) A strategy and tactics employed when in position to score; contrasted with defense.
4. (team sports) (often IPA: /ˈɒ fɛns/) The portion of a team dedicated to scoring when in position to do so; contrasted with defense.

Synonyms

Antonyms

• defense US, defence Commonwealth

Derived terms

• hanging offense, hanging offence
• indictable offense, indictable offence
• summary offense, summary offence
• regulatory offense, regulatory offence

Related terms

• offensive
• offend
• offender