Words / B1

uh-FENS-iv/əˈfensɪv/

Offensive means rude and likely to upset people; in sport it can mean attacking play. Offence is the noun (already in the dictionary). Rude is everyday; insulting is a close twin. Football: the chant was offensive and brought a ban.

Meaning

Rude and likely to upset people; also used in sport for attacking play.

Examples

• “The chant was offensive and the club issued a ban, not a warning.”
• “An offensive in a war report is an attack, which is the military sense.”

Good to know

offensive + language / chant. Noun: an offence. Everyday: rude. Sport / military: an offensive (attack). FA / workplace. Opposite: inoffensive.

Near in meaning

rude

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