1a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act:the new offence of obtaining property by deception
a thing that constitutes a violation of what is judged to be right or natural:the outcome is an offence to basic justice
2 [mass noun] annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself:he made it clear he’d taken offenceI didn’t intend to give offence
3 [mass noun] the action of attacking someone or something: [as modifier]:reductions in strategic offence arsenals
(offense) /ˈɒfɛns, ˈaː-/ North American the attacking team or players in a sport, especially in American football:he is a wide receiver, playing on offense
no offence
informal do not be offended:OK, lady, no offence, just shooting my mouth off as usual
