Return to the home page.

Expand/collapse menu.

Visit Our Sites

Unabridged Dictionary

Learner's Dictionary

Word Central for Kids

Collegiate Dictionary

Expand/collapse menu.

Premium Services

Unabridged Dictionary

Collegiate Dictionary

Encyclopedia Britannica

Institutional Subscriptions

Expand/collapse menu.

Expand/collapse menu.

Word of the Day

Subscriber Help

Expand/collapse menu.

More Word Games

Daily Crosswords

Expand/collapse menu.

Open Dictionary

Alphabetical Browse

Browse Categories

Submit an Entry

Expand/collapse menu.

Spelling Bee Hive

Hive Headquarters

Spelling Champion

Spelling Reform

Expand/collapse menu.

Word for the Wise

Today's Broadcast

Expand/collapse menu.

Books and CD-Roms

Online Services

Palm and Pocket PC

Expand/collapse menu.

Looking Up a Word

Citing the Dictionary

Audio Pronunciations

Word Games Help

Expand/collapse menu.

Merriam-Webster FAQ

Advertising Info

Copyright Notice

Also Visit:
Unabridged

Visual
ESL:
Learner's
for Kids:
Spell It!
Word Central

offensive

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

offensive

Main Entry:: ¹of·fen·sive
Pronunciation:: \ə-ˈfen(t)-siv, especially for 1 ˈä-ˌfen(t)-, ˈȯ-\
Function:: adjective
Date:: circa 1564

1 a: making attack : aggressive b: of, relating to, or designed for attack <offensive weapons> c: of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest; also : of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck2: giving painful or unpleasant sensations : nauseous, obnoxious <an offensive odor>3: causing displeasure or resentment <offensive remarks>

— of·fen·sive·ly adverb

— of·fen·sive·ness noun

Learn more about "offensive" and related topics at Britannica.com

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols