TOP

Definition of offensive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

offensive

adjective
 
 
/əˈfensɪv/
 
/əˈfensɪv/
jump to other results
  1.  
     rude in a way that causes somebody to feel upset or annoyed because it shows a lack of respect
    • offensive remarks
    • The programme contains language which some viewers may find offensive.
    • racially offensive language/comments
    • offensive to somebody His comments were deeply offensive to a large number of single mothers.
    opposite inoffensive
    Extra Examples
    • This sort of remark is very offensive to women.
    • This job is stressful enough even without clients being offensive.
    • The material is patently offensive as measured by the standards for the broadcast medium.
    Topics Personal qualitiesb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • become
    • …
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    preposition
    • to
    See full entry
  2. (formal) extremely unpleasant synonym obnoxious
    • The problem is how to eliminate offensive smells from the processing plant.
    Synonyms disgustingdisgustingfoul ▪ revolting ▪ repulsive ▪ offensive ▪ grossThese words all describe something, especially a smell, taste or habit, that is extremely unpleasant and often makes you feel slightly ill.disgusting extremely unpleasant and making you feel slightly ill:
    • What a disgusting smell!
    foul dirty, and tasting or smelling bad:
    • She could smell his foul breath.
    revolting extremely unpleasant and making you feel slightly ill:
    • The stew looked revolting.
     disgusting or revolting?Both of these words are used to describe things that smell and taste unpleasant, unpleasant personal habits and people who have them. There is no real difference in meaning, but disgusting is more frequent, especially in spoken English.repulsive (rather formal) extremely unpleasant in a way that offends you or makes you feel slightly ill. Repulsive usually describes people, their behaviour or habits, which you may find offensive for physical or moral reasons.offensive (formal) (especially of smells) extremely unpleasant.gross (informal) (of a smell, taste or personal habit) extremely unpleasant.Patterns
    • disgusting/​repulsive/​offensive to somebody
    • to find somebody/​something disgusting/​revolting/​repulsive/​offensive
    • to smell/​taste disgusting/​foul/​gross
    • a(n) disgusting/​foul/​revolting/​offensive/​gross smell
    • a disgusting/​revolting/​gross habit
    • disgusting/​offensive/​gross behaviour
    • a disgusting/​revolting/​repulsive man/​woman/​person
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • seem
    • become
    • …
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    preposition
    • to
    See full entry
  3. [only before noun] connected with the act of attacking somebody/something
    • an offensive war
    • offensive action
    • He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon.
    compare defensive
  4. (North American English, sport) connected with the team that has control of the ball; connected with the act of scoring points
    • offensive play
    • an offensive player/lineman/tackle
    compare defensive
    5. Word Originmid 16th cent.: from French offensif, -ive or medieval Latin offensivus, from Latin offens- ‘struck against’, from the verb offendere ‘strike against’.
See offensive in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee offensive in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: offensive

Nearby words

given
adjective
 
 
From the Word list
OPAL spoken words
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day