offend

Everyday

1. To make someone upset, hurt or annoyed by what you say or do. tree →
2. To seem nasty or unpleasant to someone's senses: «The smell offended my nose.» tree →
3. (formal) To break a law or rule; to commit a crime. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and PSHE lessons, it is about kindness: thinking before you speak so you don't offend people. In formal or news language, «to offend» means to commit a crime; an «offender» is a criminal. Phrases: no offence, I don't mean to offend you, offend again.

Examples

• I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. tree →
• His rude joke offended lots of people. tree →
• Bright lights offend my eyes at night. tree →
• The thief promised he would never offend again. tree →
• Try not to offend your friends by laughing at them. tree →
• Some words can offend people from other countries. tree →
• If there is anything in it that you are afraid may offend me, take courage, for I pardon you beforehand. tree →

Note

Regular verb: offended. Noun: offence (UK) / offense (US); person: offender. «No offence» (UK) / «no offense» (US) is said before or after saying something that might upset. Adjective forms: offended (how you feel), offensive (what upsets).

In Jewish tradition

Here it means to do wrong or sin. In the primary lessons: In everyday life and PSHE lessons, it is about kindness: thinking before you speak so you don't offend people. In formal or news language, «to offend» means to commit a crime; an «offender» is a criminal. Phrases: no offence, I don't mean to offend you, offend again.

Examples

• For hath any said unto God: 'I have borne chastisement, though I offend not; (Writings JOB.34.31, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: offended. Noun: offence (UK) / offense (US); person: offender. «No offence» (UK) / «no offense» (US) is said before or after saying something that might upset. Adjective forms: offended (how you feel), offensive (what upsets).