Offence definition and meaning
Offence definition: An offence is a crime that breaks a particular law and requires a particular punishment . | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples
Definition of ’offence’
offence
(
əf
e
ns
)
Word forms:
plural
offences
language note:
The spelling
offense
is used in American English. The pronunciation
(
ɔ
fense
)
is used for meaning
[sense 3
]
.
language note:
The spelling
offense
is used in American English.
1.
countable noun
Thirteen people have been charged with treason–an offence which can carry the death
penalty.
In Britain the Consumer Protection Act makes it a criminal offence to sell goods
that are unsafe.
2.
variable noun
The book might be published without creating offense.
Privilege determined by birth is an offence to any modern sense of justice.
3.
singular noun
[
the
NOUN
]
football
or
basketball
,
the offense
is the
team
which has
possession
of the ball and is
trying
to
score
.
[
US
]
Between plays the coach was talking to the offense in the huddle.
4.
See
cause offence
5.
See
no offence
6.
See
take offence
offence
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary
. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of offence
offence
in British English
or
US
offense
(
əˈfɛns
)
noun
1.
2.
a.
b.
3.
4.
See
give offence
5.
See
take offence
6.
anger
7.
8.
archaic
9.
See
the offense
Collins English Dictionary
. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
offenceless
(
ofˈfenceless
)
or
US
offenseless
(
ofˈfenseless
)
adjective
offence
in American English
(
əˈfɛns
)
noun
British
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Examples of ‘offence’ in a sentence offence
Selling snowdrops taken from the
wild
is a
criminal
offence.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2017
)
No
details
of the offences were given at court.
The Sun
(
2016
)
Her
husband
had
admitted
the same offence earlier.
The Sun
(
2016
)
We have
reached
a good
balance
between offence and
defence
.
The Sun
(
2016
)
These offences carry a
maximum
penalty
of two years in
prison
.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2016
)
MPs
said
that the public had a right to
know
the
identities
of those
convicted
of the most
serious
offences.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2016
)
She said that the
extra
powers being considered would be to
deal
with common offences including using a
mobile
telephone
at the
wheel
and
speeding
.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2017
)
The
journal
suggested
that she had
benefited
from a
fictitious
post
, which is an offence under French law.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2017
)
The maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2013
)
Will the clampdown on
minor
speeding offences
reduce
road
deaths
?
Times, Sunday Times
(
2008
)
My language was
poorly
chosen
and has caused a great deal of offence.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2015
)
She admitted
committing
the offence but
insisted
that she
simply
forgot
about the
tests
.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2007
)
People who committed offences younger are
continuing
on into their old
age
.
The Sun
(
2015
)
The law is
clear
that to do so would be a criminal offence.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2009
)
The
club
were found not
guilty
of
alleged
offences over
payments
to two other players.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2016
)
The force
classified
the offences as
antisocial
behaviour rather than as a crime.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2009
)
There is no time between offence and defence.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2014
)
The move will
halt
all
trials
for offences carrying a maximum
sentence
of
ten
years or less.
The Sun
(
2008
)
We have long
argued
that sentences for serious offences should be more
consistent
and
rigorous
.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2006
)
The
current
law
limits
offences to
drivers
whose
performance
is
impaired
by the use of
illegal
drugs.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2009
)
We are
sorry
if this
suggestion
caused any offence.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2012
)
Many are
repeat
offenders whose second offence would not have been committed if their
resettlement
after the first had been
effective
.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2010
)
An offence under the Act makes it a crime to carry on a business with a
seriously
misleading
name.
Times, Sunday Times
(
2009
)
COBUILD Collocations offence
Trends of offence
View usage for:
In other languages offence
American English
:
əˈfɛns
/
Arabic
:
إسَاءَةٌ
Brazilian Portuguese
:
ofensa
Chinese
:
Croatian
:
prekršaj
Czech
:
trestný čin
Danish
:
fornærmelse
Dutch
:
overtreding
European Spanish
:
Finnish
:
rikos
French
:
German
:
Greek
:
αδίκημα
Italian
:
Japanese
:
違反
Korean
:
위반
Norwegian
:
straffbar handling
Polish
:
obraza
European Portuguese
:
Romanian
:
delict
Russian
:
оскорбление
Latin American Spanish
:
Swedish
:
brott
Thai
:
การกระทำที่ผิดกฎหมาย, ความผิด
Turkish
:
saldırı
Ukrainian
:
злочин
Vietnamese
:
sự vi phạm
Nearby words of offence
Related terms of offence
Source
offence
from the
Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
1
–
Score:
0
/
5
fir
or
fur
?
It was a thick wood of
and oak trees.
reek
or
wreak
?
Violent storms could
havoc on the French Riviera.
knight
or
night
?
Who is the
in shining armour?
taught
or
taut
?
The clothes line has been pulled
.
carat
or
carrot
?
Your score:
May 01, 2021
shower thought
Apr 30, 2021
dad joke
Apr 30, 2021
sharking
Apr 30, 2021
cheugy
Apr 30, 2021
15