/ əˈfensɪv; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
offensive (to sb) rude in a way that causes you to feel upset, insulted or annoyed :
offensive remarks
His comments were deeply offensive to a large number of single mothers.
The programme contains language which some viewers may find offensive.
OPP inoffensive
2.
( formal ) extremely unpleasant
SYN obnoxious :
an offensive smell
➡ note at disgusting
3.
[ only before noun ] connected with the act of attacking sb/sth :
an offensive war
offensive action
He was charged with carrying an offensive weapon .
—compare defensive
4.
( NAmE , sport ) connected with the team that has control of the ball; connected with the act of scoring points :
offensive play
—compare defensive
► of·fen·sive·ly adverb
► of·fen·sive·ness noun [ U ]
■ noun
1.
a military operation in which large numbers of soldiers, etc. attack another country
SYN strike :
an air offensive
They launched the offensive on January 10.
2.
a series of actions aimed at achieving sth in a way that attracts a lot of attention
SYN campaign :
The government has launched a new offensive against crime.
a sales offensive
The public seems unconvinced by their latest charm offensive (= their attempt to make people like them) .
•
IDIOMS
- be on the offensive
- go on (to) the offensive | take the offensive
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from French offensif , -ive or medieval Latin offensivus , from Latin offens- struck against, from the verb offendere strike against.