Offensive | Mean of offensive in English Dictionary

/əˈfɛnsɪv/

• causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset
1. He made some offensive remarks.
2. offensive words/terms
3. The song lyrics are offensive to women. [=women are offended by the song lyrics]
4. His behavior is offensive to many people.
• very unpleasant
1. An offensive odor was coming from the basement.
• of or relating to the way that players try to score against an opponent in a game or contest
1. an offensive position/strategy
2. an offensive lineman/player

• relating to or designed for attacking an enemy
1. The troops will take offensive action against the enemy.
2. We studied their offensive maneuvers and anticipated the attack.
3. offensive weapons
• Noun
• a large military attack
1. They plan to launch an air offensive before sending in ground troops.
2. a ground offensive
3. Union leaders have mounted an offensive against the company's proposal to limit health benefits.
• in or into a situation or position in which you attack or fight against someone or something
1. The soldiers are on the offensive.
2. She went on the offensive to fight the charges against her.
3. The team was on the defensive in the early part of the game but they went on the offensive in the second half.
• to begin to attack or fight against someone or something
1. Opponents of the development project took the offensive and defeated the land sale.