offense

of·fense

Use offense in a sentence

noun

Offense is a breaking of a rule or something that angers or displeases.

An example of offense is running a red light.
An example of offense is a rude comment.

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"Offense." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Offense.

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Offense. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Offense

offense

an offending; specif.,
1. the act of breaking a law; sin or crime; transgression
2. the act of creating resentment, hurt feelings, displeasure, etc.
the condition of being offended, esp. of feeling hurt, resentful, or angry; umbrage
Rare something that causes sinning or wrongdoing
something that causes resentment, anger, etc.
the act of attacking or assaulting; aggression
the person, army, etc. that is attacking
Sports
1. a team when it is attempting to score against an opponent in any contest
2. the ability to score against an opposing team
3. the strategy, plays, etc. used in attempting to score against an opposing team

Origin of offense

Middle English from Middle French from Classical Latin offensa from past participle of offendere: see offend

offense Idioms

give offense

to offend; anger, insult, etc.

on offense

Sports engaged in an attempt to score against an opposing team

take offense

to become offended; feel hurt, angry, etc.

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"Offense." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Offense.

APA Style

Offense. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Offense

offense

noun

a. The act of causing anger, resentment, displeasure, or affront.
b. The state of being offended.
a. A violation or infraction of a moral or social code; a transgression or sin.
b. A transgression of law; a crime.
Something that outrages moral sensibilities: Genocide is an offense to all civilized humans.
The act of attacking or assaulting.
Sports
a. The means or tactics used in attempting to score.
b. The team in possession of the ball or puck, or those players whose primary duty is to attempt to score.
c. Scoring ability or potential.

Origin of offense

Middle English from Old French ofense from Latin offēnsa from feminine past participle of offendere to offend ; see offend .

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"Offense." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Offense.

APA Style

Offense. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Offense

Noun

(plural offenses) (US)

The act of offending:
1. a crime or sin
2. an affront, insult or injury.
The state of being offended or displeased; anger; displeasure.
(team sports) (often IPA: /ËˆÉ’ fÉ›ns/) A strategy and tactics employed when in position to score; contrasted with defense.
(team sports) (often IPA: /ËˆÉ’ fÉ›ns/) The portion of a team dedicated to scoring when in position to do so; contrasted with defense.