offence
noun /əˈfens/
  /əˈfens/
(US English offense)
 Idioms - [countable] an illegal act synonym crime
- a criminal/serious/minor/sexual offence
 - a drug/firearms/traffic offence
 - a first offence (= the first time that somebody has been found guilty of a crime)
 - a capital offence (= one for which somebody may be punished by death)
 - What are the alleged offences (= that have been stated but not yet proved)?
 - He was not aware that he had committed an offence.
 - New legislation makes it an offence to carry guns.
 - He was found guilty of offences under the Official Secrets Act.
 - These people have been charged with public order offences.
 - He has been arrested for a serious offence.
 - offence against somebody/something an offence against society/humanity/the state
 - prisoners convicted of offences against children
 
Wordfinder- accuse
 - appeal
 - counsel
 - defendant
 - evidence
 - justice
 - offence
 - plea
 - prosecution
 - trial
 
Extra ExamplesTopics Crime and punishmentb2- Motorists may be fined on the spot for driving offences such as speeding.
 - The offence is punishable by up to three months' imprisonment.
 - He was given a warning since it was a first offence.
 - It is a criminal offence to inflict cruelty on any wild animal.
 - The rebels could face charges of treason, a capital offence.
 
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- grave
 - heinous
 - major
 - …
 
- be
 - constitute
 - commit
 - …
 
- offence against
 
 - [uncountable] the feeling of being upset or angry at something that somebody has said or done
- The photo may cause offence to some people.
 - No one will take offence (= feel upset or insulted) if you leave early.
 - Don't be so quick to take offence.
 - Many readers took offence at the article.
 - I'm sure he meant no offence when he said that.
 - I didn't mean to give offence to anyone.
 
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + offence/offense- cause
 - give
 - take
 - …
 
- offence at
 - offence to
 
- no offence
 - no offence intended
 - no offence meant
 - …
 
 
Word Originlate 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’.
Idioms 
no offence 
- (informal) used to say that you do not mean to upset or show a lack of respect for somebody by something you say or do
- No offence, but I'd really like to be on my own.
 - No offence intended, but are you sure your calculations are right?