In games such as football or hockey, when an attacking player is offside, they have broken the rules by being nearer to the goal than a defending player when the ball is passed to them.
The goal was disallowed because she was offside.
Offside is also an adverb.
Wise was standing at least ten yards offside.
Offside is also a noun.
Rush had a 45th-minute goal disallowed for offside.
2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
In American football, a player is offside if they cross the line of scrimmage before a play begins.
[US]
3. singular noun [usually NOUN noun]
The offside of a vehicle is the side that is farthest from the edge of the road when the vehicle is being driven normally.
[British]
The driver of the car lowered his offside front window.
offside in British English
(ˈɒfˈsaɪd)
adjective, adverb
1. sport
(in football, hockey, etc) in a position illegally ahead of the ball or puck when it is played, usually when within one's opponents' half or the attacking zone
noun
2. the offside
Compare nearside
offside in American English
(ˈɔfˈsaɪd)
adjective
1. Sport
not in the proper position for play
; specif.,
a. American Football
over the line of scrimmage or otherwise ahead of the ball before the play has begun,and hence subject to penalty
b. Ice Hockey
moving into the attacking zone ahead of the puck
adverb
2.
into an offside position
to jump offside
noun
3.
an offside play
Also ˈoffˈsides
Examples of 'offside' in a sentence
offside
The second one is five yards offside.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is difficult to lose a game of that stature on two offside goals.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They have cleared the box so their player is offside.
The Sun (2017)
Cricketers cannot defend in numbers, play offside.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
An offside flag spoilt that party, but not for long.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It affects what the defender does but the actions of the attackers in the offside positions in this situation are not covered in the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Apparently both goals were offside.
The Sun (2016)
When people talk about teams being organised at the back, most of it is because they know how to play offside.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Sadly he had strayed a couple of yards offside.
The Sun (2010)
We also feel the second goal was offside.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Rémy was flagged offside four times in the opening period.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Missed a sitter in the first half but was offside anyway.
The Sun (2013)
Remember the great old days of the offside line?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The player in the middle of the goal clearly is offside.
The Sun (2015)
He looked a yard offside for his goal but that does not undermine the finishing power from close range.
The Sun (2014)
Accordingly, he played to drop it offside and went one down.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The forward got on the end of a goal kick, beat the offside trap and slotted home.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I was pushing up trying to play offside.
The Sun (2016)
The first goal came from route one, then there was a dubious penalty and the third one was offside.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It had accident damage to all four corners, including a front offside wing that looked like it had been virtually ripped off.
The Sun (2011)
If a player is offside, he is offside - simple as that.
The Sun (2006)
But essentially these days, a player is offside if the referee's assistant says so.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
While they were working their magic, Costa was strolling back from an offside position as if he knew what was going to happen.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
offside
British English: offside /ˈɒfˈsaɪd/ ADJECTIVE
In games such as football or hockey, when an attacking player is offside, they have broken the rules by being nearer to the goal than a defending player when the ball is passed to them.
The goal was disallowed because the player was offside.