offence
noun (especially US offense)
əˈfens 
əˈfens 
1 [countable] offence (against somebody/something) an illegal act Synonym
crimea criminal/serious/minor/sexual, etc. offencea first offence (= the first time that somebody has been found guilty of a crime)a capital offence (= one for which somebody may be punished by death)He was not aware that he had committed an offence.an offence against society/humanity/the stateNew legislation makes it an offence to carry guns.2 [uncountable] the act of upsetting or insulting somebodyI'm sure he meant no offence when he said that.The photo may cause offence to some people.No one will take offence (= feel upset or insulted) if you leave early.Don't be so quick to take offence.Idioms
