offendof‧fend /əˈfend/ ●●○ verb 
His remarks deeply offended many Scottish people.be offended by/at something Liddy was offended by such a personal question. The careful language is designed not to offend.2[transitive] to seem bad or unacceptable to someone: A solution must be found that doesn’t offend too many people. Some of these new buildings really offend the eye (=look very ugly).3[intransitive] formal to commit a crime or crimes: Many of the young men here are likely to offend again.4[intransitive, transitive] formal to be against people’s feelings of what is morally acceptableoffend against Broadcasters have a responsibility not to offend against good taste and decency.
WORD ORIGINoffend
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French offendre, from Latin offendere ‘to strike against, offend’VERB TABLE
offend
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | offend |
| he, she, it | offends | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | offended |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have offended |
| he, she, it | has offended | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had offended |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will offend |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have offended |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am offending |
| he, she, it | is offending | |
| you, we, they | are offending | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was offending |
| you, we, they | were offending | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been offending |
| he, she, it | has been offending | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been offending |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be offending |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been offending |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He didn't speak during the meeting for fear of saying something that might offend.
- He is a sensitive man, and it not difficult to offend his sensibilities.
- Jenny felt confused by Matt's behavior - had she done something to offend him?
- She stopped mid-sentence, anxious not to offend him.
- Some people are offended by swearing on television.
- The parole board felt that Harris was unlikely to offend again.
- The programme contains scenes that my offend older viewers.
- Because these would offend canons of justice which find acceptance among a large proportion of the population.
- Garbage blowing on the sidewalk would offend them as much as would a dully designed highrise.
- He stood immobile, and I wondered if I had said something to offend him.
- I wondered if I had offended him in some way.
- If Montrose openly endorsed Kirkton, and carried his re-election, he might gravely offend some of his own friends.
- The risk was that I would offend the equity department, which would then try to have me fired.
Longman Language Activatorto offend someone
to make someone angry or upset by doing something that they think is socially or morally unacceptable or by being rude to them: · The programme contains scenes that may offend older viewers.· She stopped mid-sentence, anxious not to offend him.· He didn't speak during the meeting for fear of saying something that might offend.offend (somebody's) sensibilities: · He is a sensitive man, and it is not difficult to offend his sensibilities.
to make someone very angry and upset, for example by doing something that shows you have little respect for them or do not think that they are very good at something: · In some cultures, you insult your host if you do not accept their offer of food.insult somebody by doing something: · I won't insult you by explaining the rules of the game.insult somebody's intelligence (=treat someone as if they are stupid): · questions that insult the intelligence of the interviewee
British informal to make someone annoyed, especially without intending to: · It really gets my back up when salesmen call round to the house.· He treats everyone like children, and that's why he puts people's backs up.
to offend someone - use this about words or actions that were not intended to offend anyone: · He later appeared on television to apologize for causing offence.cause offence to: · I hope I didn't cause offence to anyone when I left early.cause great offence: · A remark that is considered humorous in one culture can cause great offence in another.
to feel offended · She'll be offended if you don't say thank you for her help.offended by · He's always offended by jokes aimed at Irish people.offended that · He felt offended that she didn't want to go out with him.deeply offended · Some people may find rude jokes funny, but others may be deeply offended.
very angry and upset, for example because someone has done something that shows they have little respect for you or your abilities: · Molly would be insulted if we didn't go and see her while we were in town.insulted by: · Please don't be insulted by anything I say.insulted that: · He felt insulted that they had not told him about the party.deeply insulted: · We must eat as much as possible, or she will be deeply insulted.
offended, especially because someone has not included you in their plans: · The guest list was very short, so no-one felt slighted because they hadn't been invited.
offended and surprised, especially because you feel that you have not been treated fairly: · When she said I was interfering, I was a bit put out.put out about: · She was rather put out about being described as plain.put out by: · The minister was not put out by the note of impatience in Cohen's voice.
to feel offended by something someone says or does, especially something that does not seem serious to other people: · Don't mention her hairstyle. She'll probably take offence.· Please don't take offence, but I would prefer you not to swear in front of the children.take offence at: · He didn't seem to take offence at my lack of enthusiasm for his idea.be quick to take offence: · He described her as a woman who is temperamental and quick to take offence.
to feel offended by something, especially a criticism, even though it was not aimed at one particular person: · Anna took it personally when the boss said some people were not working hard enough.· This is a general criticism, so I hope none of you will take it personally.· I didn't take his rebuff too personally, since I was used to his habit of being rude to his juniors.
to be offended by something someone says or does when it was not intended to offend you and you have understood it in the wrong way: · Daniel sat in silence, afraid whatever he said would be taken the wrong way.· Don't take this the wrong way, but your driving has really improved.
formal to feel offended by something someone says, and to make it clear that you feel this way: · I took exception to what he said about my family.· Paul took exception to her advice, which he said undermined his self-esteem.take great exception to something: · I take great exception to the suggestion that I neglected my responsibilities.
easily offended · Be careful what you say to Jenny; she's oversensitive and easily offended.be/get easily offended by · Barry gets easily offended by comments about his parents' divorce.
too easily offended, especially so that people are afraid to talk to you, or offer advice: · Some authors get very touchy if you make even the slightest alteration to their work.· Why are you so touchy today?touchy about: · He's a great manager, but he is very touchy about his lack of qualifications.
very easily offended by a particular thing: · Paul is too sensitive for this job. He can't take even the smallest criticism.sensitive about: · He's sensitive about his bad teeth, so try not to look at them.· My children are very sensitive about being treated in a patronising way.
someone who is easily offended by anything that is rude or connected with sex, especially in a way that other people think is unnecessary: · Sarah's no prude, but she thought some of the sex scenes were quite shocking.
someone who is over-sensitive gets offended and upset very easily, because they always think other people are criticizing them, making fun of them etc: · It's not unusual for artists to be over-sensitive about their work.· Of course he wasn't saying you were overweight - you're just being over-sensitive.
words for describing behaviour, remarks etc that offend people · Throughout the football game a small section of the crowd was chanting offensive slogans.· The BBC received a number of complaints about the offensive remarks made during the interview.deeply offensive (=very offensive) · These pornographic magazines are deeply offensive to women.offensive to · Your comments are offensive to all Jews.
behaviour, remarks etc that are insulting offend someone a lot because they show a lack of respect for them or for their ability, honesty etc: · It's insulting when people assume I must be a racist because I'm from the South.deeply insulting (=very insulting): · I find your criticism deeply insulting.insulting to: · advice that is extremely insulting to unemployed people
to offend a particular person or group of people by showing little respect for their intelligence, ability, beliefs etc: · Leaders described the mosque's destruction as an insult to Muslims.be an insult to somebody's intelligence/ability etc: · The lesson was awful. It was an insult to our intelligence.· If I didn't finish this meal it would be an insult to your superb cooking.
something that is objectionable is likely to offend people because it is morally unacceptable or very unpleasant: · I thought the bedroom scenes were pretty objectionable and unnecessary.· Our goal is to get rid of many of the objectionable features of capitalism.highly/deeply objectionable: · I find it highly objectionable to have to sit near people who are smoking.
WORD SETSabet, verbaccusation, nounaccuse, verbaffray, nounarson, nounassault, nounassault and battery, nounbackhander, nounbattery, nounbigamy, nounblack market, nounblack marketeer, nounbreak-in, nounbreaking and entering, nouncaper, nouncapital, adjectivecarjacking, nouncat burglar, nouncontract, nouncosh, nouncounterfeit, adjectivecounterfeit, verbcover, nouncrack, verbcriminal, adjectivecriminal, nouncriminal law, nouncriminal record, nouncriminology, nouncrook, nounculpable, adjectiveculprit, noundefamation, noundefraud, verbdelinquency, noundelinquent, adjectivedelinquent, noundesperado, noundisorderly, adjectivedrug baron, noundrug runner, nounDUI, nounembezzle, verbexpropriate, verbextort, verbeyewitness, nounfelon, nounfelony, nounfence, nounfiddle, nounfiddle, verbfiddler, nounfilch, verbfinger, verbfire-raising, nounfirst offender, nounflash, verbflasher, nounforge, verbforger, nounforgery, nounfoul play, nounframe, verbframe-up, nounfratricide, nounfraud, nounfreebooter, noungang, noungang-bang, noungang rape, noungangster, nounGBH, noungenocide, noungetaway, noungodfather, noungrand larceny, noungrass, noungrievous bodily harm, nounheist, nounhijack, verbhijack, nounhijacking, nounhit, nounhit-and-run, adjectivehit man, nounincriminate, verbindecent assault, nounindecent exposure, nouninfanticide, nounjob, nounjoyriding, nounjuvenile delinquent, nounkidnap, verblarceny, nounlibel, nounlibel, verblibellous, adjectivelow life, nounmafioso, nounmalpractice, nounmanslaughter, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatricide, nounmisappropriate, verbmisconduct, nounmisdeed, nounmisdemeanour, nounmobster, nounmoll, nounmug, verbmugshot, nounmurder, nounmurder, verbmurderer, nounmurderess, nounmuscleman, nounnark, nounnefarious, adjectiveneighbourhood watch, nounnick, verbno-go area, nounoffence, nounoffend, verboffender, nounold lag, nounorganized crime, nounoutlaw, nounparricide, nounpatricide, nounpetty larceny, nounPhotofit, nounpiracy, nounplant, verbpoach, verbpoacher, nounpossession, nounprivateer, nounprotection, nounprowl, verbprowler, nounpublic nuisance, nounpull, verbpunk, nounpurloin, verbraid, nounram-raiding, nounrape, verbrape, nounrapist, nounravish, verbreceiver, nounreceiving, nounrecidivist, nounregicide, nounring, nounringleader, nounriotous, adjectiverob, verbrobber, nounrobbery, nounroll, verbrustler, nounscheme, nounscheme, verbshady, adjectiveshoplift, verbshoplifting, nounslander, nounsmuggle, verbsnout, nounspeeding, nounstabbing, nounstalking, nounstatutory offence, nounstatutory rape, nounsteal, verbstoolpigeon, nounsupergrass, nounsuspect, nounswag, nountheft, nounthief, nounthievish, adjectivetorch, verbtraffic, nountrafficker, nountriad, noununder-the-counter, adjectiveunderworld, nounundesirable, nounvagrancy, nounvandal, nounvandalism, nounvandalize, verbvice, nounvigilante, nounvillainy, nounviolate, verbviolation, nounwanted, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Avoid using words that might offend someone’s racial or moral sensibilities. I knew I would have to be careful not to offend their susceptibilities.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
(=something that is causing a problem – often used humorously)· Replacement of the offending item should solve the problem.
Avoid using words that might offend someone’s racial or moral sensibilities. I knew I would have to be careful not to offend their susceptibilities.· If they offend again, lock them up and throw away the key.· He is almost certain to offend again if not caught, because paedophilia is a sickness.
· Some people may find rude jokes funny but others may be deeply offended.· Criticized to his very marrow, I knew that Pierluigi would be deeply offended.· Yet, if I did so, he was deeply offended.
NOUN· I have discovered that it offends people if you challenge this sort of remark.· Nor does he worry about offending people with his provocative images.· But I didn't offend people.· At least, it offends some people.· This is why it may offend some people.
· Like all artistes, he is a sensitive man and you never offend his sensibilities.· Politicians have perceived little gain in granting petitions for something that offends the sensibilities of a significant number of the heterosexual majority.· They couldn't all just reject facts because they offended their sensibilities.· Even the mayonnaise has no egg in it, so as not to offend vegan sensibilities.
· Working-class leisure offended the susceptibilities of their betters.· Mosques, bathhouses, roofs - you could offend some one's susceptibilities by searching any of them.
VERB· Now Prince Richard was no longer an imaginary distant idol and Victoria felt offended by Suzie's sudden fawning fascination.· We feel offended, very hurt.
· That probably means it will offend the few and rip off the many.
· Because he didn't want to offend his mum and dad, devout Catholics.· Shivering, I closed the blinds more tightly -- wanted no offending sun yet, despite its potential for heat.· The servants did not want to offend their young master, and Mrs Reed could see no fault in her dear boy.· So decide which group of arrogant ignoramuses you want to offend with it.· However, I do not want to offend my local church organist by asking her to step down.· Not wanting to offend her friend.· I don't want to offend my fisher friends, but is it still worthwhile?
WORD FAMILYnounoffense/offenseoffenderoffensiveoffensivenessadjectiveoffensive ≠ inoffensiveoffendedoffendingverboffendadverboffensively
1[intransitive, transitive] to make someone angry or upset by doing or saying something that they think is rude, unkind etc: His remarks deeply offended many Scottish people.be offended by/at something Liddy was offended by such a personal question. The careful language is designed not to offend.2[transitive] to seem bad or unacceptable to someone: A solution must be found that doesn’t offend too many people. Some of these new buildings really offend the eye (=look very ugly).3[intransitive] formal to commit a crime or crimes: Many of the young men here are likely to offend again.4[intransitive, transitive] formal to be against people’s feelings of what is morally acceptableoffend against Broadcasters have a responsibility not to offend against good taste and decency.