offense

noun oh-FANSS Rare

Also means

insult

Usage Note

Offense in French is more formal than in English and leans towards legal or religious contexts; offense au chef de l'État was once a specific criminal charge. In everyday speech, une insulte or une vexation is more common for a personal slight. The verb is offenser.

Examples

"Il a pris ses mots comme une offense."

Natural Translation

He took her words as an offense.

Literal Translation

He took her words as an offense.

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