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offence

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noun British English pronunciation: offence /əˈfens/ 
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singularoffence
pluraloffences

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [countable] a crime or illegal activity for which there is a punishment

    motoring/firearms/public order offences

    criminal offence:

    Killing these animals is a criminal offence.

    minor offence:

    minor offences such as vandalism

    commit an offence:

    She had committed no offence under military law.

    convict someone of an offence:

    Walker was convicted of a similar offence in 1997.

    first/second etc offence:

    The usual fine is £15 to £100 for a first offence.

    be charged with an offence:

    Those arrested have been charged with public order offences.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  offenceThesaurus entry for this meaning of offence
  2. 2
    [uncountable] the feeling of being angry, upset, or insulted, caused by something that someone says or does
    cause/give offence:

    complaints about advertisements that cause offence

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  offenceThesaurus entry for this meaning of offence
  3. 3
    [countable] something that makes you feel angry and upset because it is insulting, unfair, or morally wrong
    offence to:

    a building that is an offence to good taste

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  offenceThesaurus entry for this meaning of offence

phrases

This is the British English definition of offence. View American English definition of offence.

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