offence

Universal Words (BrE) (AmE offense) noun 1 [C] ~ (against sb/sth) an illegal act SYNCRIME: a criminal / serious / minor / sexual offence * a first offence (= the first time that sb has been found guilty of a crime) * a capital offence (= one for which sb may be punished by death) * He was not aware that he had committed an offence. * an offence against society / humanity / the state * New legislation makes it an offence to carry guns. 2 [U] the act of upsetting or insulting sb: I'm sure he meant no offence when he said that. * The photo on the cover of the book 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 no offence (spoken) used to say that you do not mean to upset or insult sb by sth you say or do: No offence, but I'd really like to be on my own.