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Added 9 October 2026

offensive

/əˈfɛnsɪv/ adjective

In Latin: taeter, offensus, repudiōsus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about offensive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Causing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.
Some people find pornography offensive.
Socially disrespectful; insensitive.
Relating to an offense or attack, as opposed to defensive.
The army's offensive capabilities. An offensive weapon.

noun

An attack.
The Marines today launched a major offensive.
The posture of attacking or being able to attack.
He took the offensive in the press, accusing his opponent of corruption.

Origin

From Middle French offensif, from offendre + -if by analogy with défensif. Offendre is from Latin offendere (“to offend”); see offend.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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