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offensive

adj. · n.
US //əˈfɛnsɪv// UK //əfˈɛnsɪv// of·fen·sive
  1. 1 rude or upsetting (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    rude, insulting, or likely to make people feel angry or upset.

    causing resentment, indignation, or moral outrage; violating social or ethical standards of conduct.

    Example

    The comedian's jokes were so offensive that many people walked out of the show.

    Example

    The editor removed several offensive passages from the manuscript to ensure the book complied with the publisher's sensitivity guidelines.

    Usage

    Often used with 'to' when identifying the group affected, such as 'offensive to many people'.
  2. 2 attacking (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    used for or related to an attack rather than defending.

    relating to or designed for an attack; characterized by active aggression rather than resistance.

    Example

    The army used offensive weapons to break through the enemy's walls.

    Example

    The general shifted the battalion into an offensive position, preparing for a coordinated strike against the fortified ridge.

    Usage

    Commonly used in military and sports contexts as the opposite of 'defensive'.
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  1. 3 a planned attack (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    a large, planned attack, especially in a war or a game.

    a large-scale, planned military operation or a sustained campaign to achieve a specific goal.

    Example

    The government launched a new offensive against the rebels in the mountains.

    Example

    The spring offensive was designed to reclaim lost territory before the rainy season made the roads impassable for heavy vehicles.

    Usage

    Often used with the verbs 'launch', 'start', or 'lead'.
Origin

From Middle French offensif, from offendre + -if by analogy with défensif. Offendre is from Latin offendere (“to offend”); see offend.

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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