ENGLISH
REFERENCE

offences

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate UK //əfˈɛnsɪz// of·fences

n. illegal acts or crimes. You use this word when someone breaks a rule or a law.

n. illegal acts or instances of breaking a law or rule. Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe specific violations.


SIMPLE

He was charged with several driving offences.

CONTEXTUAL

The new law aims to reduce the number of minor offences committed by first-time offenders in the city.

COMPLEX

While some legal systems distinguish between civil and criminal matters, certain serious offences carry mandatory prison sentences regardless of the perpetrator's prior history.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural; often paired with the verb 'commit'.

Pitfall

He committed an offense against the law.He committed an offense.The word 'offence' already implies a violation of the law, so adding 'against the law' is redundant.

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