verb of·fend \ə-ˈfend\


: to be unpleasant to (someone or something)

: to do wrong : to be against what people believe is acceptable or proper

Full Definition of OFFEND

intransitive verb
transitive verb
a :  violate, transgress
b :  to cause pain to :  hurt
obsolete :  to cause to sin or fall
:  to cause to feel vexation or resentment usually by violation of what is proper or fitting <was offended by their language>
of·fend·er noun

Examples of OFFEND

  1. His comments about minority groups offended many of us.
  2. She had carefully worded her comments so as not to offend anyone.
  3. It offends me that you would make such a remark.
  4. Don't worry. I wasn't offended.
  5. I felt a little offended by their lack of respect.
  6. Some people are offended by the song's lyrics.
  7. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
  8. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend.

Origin of OFFEND

Middle English, from Anglo-French offendre, from Latin offendere to strike against, offend, from ob- against + -fendere to strike — more at ob-, defend
First Known Use: 14th century

Related to OFFEND

Synonym Discussion of OFFEND

offend, outrage, affront, insult mean to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment. offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting <hoped that my remarks had not offended her>. outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings <outraged by their accusations>. affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy <deeply affronted by his callousness>. insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame <insulted every guest at the party>.
OFFENDER Defined for Kids


verb of·fend \ə-ˈfend\

Definition of OFFEND for Kids

:  to hurt the feelings of or insult <She uses language that offends people.>
:  to do wrong <Is the released prisoner likely to offend again?>


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