Words / B1

uh-FEND-uh/əˈfendə/

An offender is a person who has committed a crime. Offend is already in the dictionary; offence is the crime. Criminal is a close twin, often stronger. Youth offending teams, not the Jobcentre.

Meaning

A person who has committed a crime.

Examples

• “Youth offenders report to the youth offending team, not the Jobcentre.”
• “A first-time offender may get a caution, not automatically a prison term.”

Good to know

an offender; a first-time / persistent offender. Verb: offend. Crime: an offence. Courts / youth justice. Countable people.

Near in meaning

criminal

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