{
    "term": "offence",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "an illegal act",
            "sensetop": "offence against somebody/something",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a **criminal/serious/minor/sexual offence**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a drug/firearms/traffic offence"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a first offence *(= the first time that somebody has been found guilty of a crime)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a capital offence *(= one for which somebody may be punished by death)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "What are the **alleged offences** *(= that have been stated but not yet proved)*?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was not aware that he had **committed an offence**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "New legislation makes it an offence to carry guns."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was found guilty of offences under the Official Secrets Act."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These people have been charged with public order offences."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has been arrested for a serious offence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "an offence against society/humanity/the state",
                    "contextForm": "offence against somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "prisoners convicted of offences against children"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Motorists may be fined on the spot for driving offences such as speeding."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The offence is punishable by up to three months' imprisonment."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was given a warning since it was a first offence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It is a criminal offence to inflict cruelty on any wild animal."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The rebels could face charges of treason, a capital offence."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "crime",
            "topics": ["Crime and punishment"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["grave", "heinous", "major"],
                "verb + offence/​offense": ["be", "constitute", "commit"],
                "preposition": ["offence against"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "the feeling of being upset or angry at something that somebody has said or done",
            "cefr": "b2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The photo may **cause offence** to some people."
                },
                {
                    "text": "No one will **take offence** *(= feel upset or insulted)* if you leave early."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't be so quick to **take offence**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Many readers **took offence at** the article."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm sure he **meant no offence** when he said that."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I didn't mean to give offence to anyone."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "verb + offence/​offense": ["cause", "give", "take"],
                "preposition": ["offence at", "offence to"],
                "phrases": ["no offence", "no offence intended", "no offence meant"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you do not mean to upset or show a lack of respect for somebody by something you say or do",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "No offence, but I'd really like to be on my own."
                },
                {
                    "text": "No offence intended, but are you sure your calculations are right?"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈfens/",
                "audio": "of/offence/offence__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈfens/",
                "audio": "of/offence/offence__us_5.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "late Middle English: from Old French offens ‘misdeed’, from Latin offensus ‘annoyance’, reinforced by French offense, from Latin offensa ‘a striking against, a hurt, or displeasure’; based on Latin offendere ‘strike against’."
}