Offend Offended əˈfend Careful Verb Wedding Neil Joke

• they'll be offended if you don't go to their wedding.
• neil did not mean to offend anybody with his joke.
• she managed to offend her boyfriend’s parents as soon as she opened her mouth.
• a tv interviewer must be careful not to offend.

offend

Verb Forms

1. to make somebody feel upset because of something you say or do that is rude or embarrassing
• They'll be offended if you don't go to their wedding.
• Neil did not mean to offend anybody with his joke.
• She managed to offend her boyfriend’s parents as soon as she opened her mouth.
• A TV interviewer must be careful not to offend.

Extra Examples

• He was very sensitive and easily offended.
• Omit anything that is likely to offend people.
• She stopped mid-sentence, anxious not to offend him.
• Some people found his jokes funny but others were deeply offended.
2. to seem unpleasant to somebody
• The smell from the farm offended some people.
• an ugly building that offends the eye
• The show was careful not to offend local sensibilities (= hurt the feelings of local people).
3. to commit a crime or crimes
• He started offending at the age of 16.
• What is the best way to stop someone who has offended from repeating the offence?
4. to be against what people believe is morally right
• comments that offend against people’s religious beliefs
• Viewers complained that the broadcast offended against good taste.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French offendre, from Latin offendere ‘strike against’.