Words / C2

UMBR-ij/ˈʌmbrɪdʒ/

Umbrage is offence taken (formal): take umbrage at a remark. Offence is everyday; umbrage is slightly old-fashioned and often wry. Umbrella is rainwear — comic lookalike only. Shade is a literal cousin of the Latin. Do not take umbrage at a missing comma unless you are joking.

Meaning

Offence or annoyance (take umbrage) (formal).

Examples

• “He took umbrage at a footnote, which was not the main finding.”
• “He took umbrage at the footnote and missed the main finding.”
• “Take umbrage at + remark. Everyday: take offence. Mix-up: umbrella. Tone: often a little comic in modern prose.”

Good to know

take umbrage at (formal offence). Everyday: take offence. Lookalike: umbrella. Easy to overuse; keep it for real affronts or irony.

Near in meaning

offence

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