offence
word
/əˈfɛns/
uh-FENS
/əˈfɛns/
uh-FENS
Definition
'Offence' can mean something that makes someone feel hurt or insulted, or it can refer to a crime or illegal act.
Usage & Nuances
British spelling is 'offence', while American English uses 'offense'. In law, 'offence' refers to a crime; in daily language, it usually means an insult. Common expressions: 'take offence', 'criminal offence', 'no offence' (an idiom used before or after saying something that might upset someone).
Spanish: ofensa - delitoPortuguese (BR): ofensa - delitoPortuguese (PT): ofensa - delitoChinese (Simplified): 冒犯 - 罪行Chinese (Traditional): 冒犯 - 罪行Hindi: अपमान - अपराधArabic: إساءة - جريمةBengali: অপমান - অপরাধRussian: оскорбление - преступлениеJapanese: 侮辱 - 犯罪Vietnamese: xúc phạm - tội phạmKorean: 모욕 - 범죄Turkish: hakaret - suçUrdu: توہین - جرمIndonesian: penghinaan - pelanggaran (hukum)
Example Sentences
Stealing is a criminal offence.
basic
She apologized if she caused any offence.
basic
No offence, but I think you could have done better.
natural
He took great offence at her joke.
natural
He did not mean any offence with his comment.
basic
Parking here is a minor offence, not a serious crime.
natural