Offence əˈfens Found Guilty Capital Upset Latin Noun

• 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)

offence

1. an illegal act
• SYNONYM crime
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/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.
• an offence against society/humanity/the state
• prisoners convicted of offences against children

Extra Examples

• Motorists may be fined on the spot for driving offences such as speeding.
• The offence is punishable by up to three months' imprisonment.
• He 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.
2. 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.
3. 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?

Word Origin

• late 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’.