Offensive
/əˈfɛn.sɪv/noun
Causing displeasure, resentment, or disgust; also used for an attack or aggressive action.
Did you know?Offensive entered English through French from Latin *offensivus*, from *offendere* meaning “to strike against” or “stumble upon,” and that same root also gave us the idea of an “offense” as a moral or legal wound.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pet-
“to fall, fly, rush, or spread out”
Latin
Latin
offendere
“to strike against, stumble into, or offend”
Late Latin
Latin
offensivus
“causing offense; attacking”
Old French
Old French
offensif
“offensive, injurious, attacking”
Middle English
English
offensif / offensive
“causing injury, attack, or moral hurt”
Modern English
English
offensive
“causing displeasure or used in attack”
Explore more surprising origins