# offend

/əˈfɛnd/ (US) · /əfˈɛnd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/offend
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to hurt feelings

verb · CEFR B1

to make someone feel upset, angry, or insulted by what you say or do.

For teachers: to cause someone to feel resentment, indignation, or hurt through a perceived lack of respect or a violation of social norms.

- I'm sorry if I offended you with my joke; I didn't mean to be rude.
- The diplomat was careful not to offend his hosts by inadvertently ignoring local customs during the formal dinner.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice ('to be offended').

### 2. to break a law

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to commit a crime or break a rule.

For teachers: to commit an illegal act or violate a formal regulation.

- He was arrested for offending against the new traffic laws.
- The company was fined heavily after it was found to have offended against environmental protection regulations for several years.

Usage: Frequently used with the preposition 'against'.

### 3. to be unpleasant

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to be unpleasant to your senses, like a bad smell or a very bright light.

For teachers: to cause physical or aesthetic discomfort or displeasure to the senses.

- The bright neon sign offended her eyes in the middle of the dark street.
- The harsh, industrial odor of the factory offended the residents of the nearby luxury housing development.

## Examples

- I am sorry if I said something to offend you.
- The comedian's jokes were intended to be funny, but they managed to offend several members of the audience.
- Diplomatic protocols are strictly observed during international summits to ensure that no representative inadvertently says anything that might offend a foreign head of state.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.