Words / B2

uh-FENS/əˈfens/

Offence (UK) is a crime: a criminal offence, commit an offence, a driving offence. Crime is everyday; offense is the US spelling. Take offence is the insulted-feeling sense. Offend is the verb. In speech, a crime / being insulted covers the two senses. Do not mix the spelling with US offense in a UK exam, and do not use offence for a civil contract dispute (that may not be a crime).

Meaning

A crime (UK spelling); also the feeling of being insulted (take offence).

Examples

• “Parking on the crossing is a criminal offence.”
• “Speeding is a motoring offence, even without a crash.”
• “She took offence at the joke, which is the feeling, not a police matter.”

Good to know

UK: offence (US offense). a criminal offence; take offence. Verb: offend. Everyday: a crime. Keep crime and insulted-feeling apart.

Near in meaning

crime

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