noun
offense
An act that breaks a law, rule, or standard of behavior.
The school treats cheating on an exam as a serious offense.
Etymology
The Latin ancestor concerns a transgression or collision. The legal and behavioral sense identifies conduct that comes into conflict with an accepted rule.
More examples
- He pays a fine for his first parking offense.
- Repeated offenses can lead to suspension.
- In their household, reading someone's diary is a serious offense.
Forms
offense · offenses
offend verb — To break a law or rule.
offender noun — A person who breaks laws or rules.
Similar words
- crime
- Specifically breaks a law, rather than merely a social rule.
- violation
- Emphasizes breaking a particular rule, law, or agreement.
- infraction
- Usually refers to a minor breach of rules or laws.