Offender
/əˈfɛndər/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who breaks the law or does something wrong or illegal.
/əˈfɛndər/
A person who commits a crime or does something wrong.
The police are searching for the offender who robbed the bank.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone breaks the rules and gets in trouble. That person is an offender. Like, if someone steals cookies, they're an offender.
👶 For kids: Someone who does something bad and breaks the rules is an offender.
More Examples
Rehabilitation programs aim to reduce recidivism among offenders.
The judge considered the offender's remorse when determining the sentence.
How It's Used
"The offender was sentenced to five years in prison."
"The school expelled the offender for repeated instances of bullying."
A person or thing that causes offense or causes someone to feel hurt or insulted.
/əˈfɛndər/
A person who causes offense.
His insensitive comments made him an offender in the eyes of many.
💡 Simply: Someone who says or does something that makes others feel bad or upset. Like someone who cuts in line and makes others angry is an offender.
👶 For kids: Someone or something that makes people upset or angry.
More Examples
Some found the controversial painting an aesthetic offender.
The loud music was an offender to the neighbors.
How It's Used
"He was seen as an offender to good taste in his choice of clothing."
"Some consider this artwork an offender to traditional values."
Idioms & expressions
repeat offender
A person who has committed the same crime or engaged in the same wrongdoing more than once.
"The judge took into consideration the fact that the defendant was a repeat offender."
From Middle English offendour, from Old French ofendeor, equivalent to offend + -er. The word's meaning evolved from 'one who attacks' to 'one who breaks a law or commits a crime'.
The term 'offender' has been used in legal and moral contexts since the 14th century to describe those who break laws or violate social norms.
Memory tip
Think of someone who causes offense or commits a crime. The 'offend' part helps remember the word's action.