- [countable] an illegal act synonym crime
- a criminal/serious/minor/sexual offence
- a drug/firearms/traffic offence
- a first offence (= the first time that somebody has been found guilty of a crime)
- a capital offence (= one for which somebody may be punished by death)
- What are the alleged offences (= that have been stated but not yet proved)?
- He was not aware that he had committed an offence.
- New legislation makes it an offence to carry guns.
- He was found guilty of offences under the Official Secrets Act.
- These people have been charged with public order offences.
- He has been arrested for a serious offence.
- offence against somebody/something an offence against society/humanity/the state
- prisoners convicted of offences against children
Extra ExamplesTopics Crime and punishmentb2- Motorists may be fined on the spot for driving offences such as speeding.
- The offence is punishable by up to three months' imprisonment.
- She was given a warning since it was a first offence.
- It is a criminal offence to inflict cruelty on any wild animal.
- The rebels could face charges of treason, a capital offence.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- grave
- heinous
- major
- …
- be
- constitute
- commit
- …
- offence against
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- [uncountable] the feeling of being upset or angry at something that somebody has said or done
- The photo may cause offence to some people.
- No one will take offence (= feel upset or insulted) if you leave early.
- Don't be so quick to take offence.
- Many readers took offence at the article.
- I'm sure he meant no offence when he said that.
- I didn't mean to give offence to anyone.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + offence/offense- cause
- give
- take
- …
- offence at
- offence to
- no offence
- no offence intended
- no offence meant
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French offens ‘misdeed’, from Latin offensus ‘annoyance’, reinforced by French offense, from Latin offensa ‘a striking against, a hurt, or displeasure’; based on Latin offendere ‘strike against’.
Idioms
See offence in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishno offence
- (informal) used to say that you do not mean to upset or show a lack of respect for somebody by something you say or do
- No offence, but I'd really like to be on my own.
- No offence intended, but are you sure your calculations are right?
Check pronunciation:
offence