What does offence mean?
An offence is an act of wrongdoing, rule-breaking, or conduct that violates another person's rights. In legal and administrative contexts, it usually refers to an action prohibited by law, such as a traffic offence or a criminal offence. The word can also describe the emotional response to something considered rude, insulting, or hurtful, as in the expression “take offence.” Its connotations depend on context: in discussions of law, it is factual and can range from minor to serious, while in interpersonal situations it often implies a perceived insult or affront. Although the traditional British spelling is offence, American English normally uses offense. Both forms can refer to either wrongdoing or the feelings it causes, making the word useful in legal, social, and everyday discussion.
An act of wrongdoing or illegal behaviour, especially a breach of a law or rule.
"The company was fined for committing a regulatory offence."
Common in legal, governmental, and formal contexts.
A feeling of upset, anger, or hurt caused by a perceived insult or affront.
"He quickly apologised after noticing that his joke had caused offence."
This sense is especially frequent in British, Canadian, and Indian English.
The standard British plural is offences; the American spelling uses offenses.
"The court records a number of offences committed during the year."
One word can describe both a criminal act and the hurt feelings it causes: the law identifies an offence, while people say the act caused offence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of offence
Offence entered English in the late Middle English period through French offense, from Latin offensio, a noun meaning “an attack” or “an injury.” The Latin word was formed from offendere, meaning “to strike against” or “to outrage,” ultimately connected with tendere, “to stretch” or “push.” The related English words offense, offensive, defender, and defence belong to the same broad etymological family.
Related word forms
How offence is actually used
The spelling is normally offence in British English and offense in American English. In the sense of wrongdoing, the word is generally neutral to formal; in the sense of a person's feelings, it is common in British, Canadian, and Indian English and also standard in American English, though somewhat less frequent than offense in some American varieties.
Easily confused with offence
Offence and offense are regional spelling variants of the same word: offence is standard in British English, while offense is standard in American English.
An offence is wrongdoing or an upsetting act, whereas a defence is protection, justification, or the action of protecting someone or something.