Offender

əˈfɛndər

Meaning & Definition

noun

a person who commits a crime or an illegal act.

The court found the offender guilty of robbery.

someone who breaks a law or rule.

Traffic offenders can face heavy fines and penalties.

a person who has committed a moral or social offense.

He was considered an offender after his actions at the charity event.

an individual who violates a code of conduct.

The school has a strict policy regarding offenders who bully other students.

Middle English, 'offendour', from Old French 'offendour' and from Latin 'offensorem', meaning 'to strike against'.

repeat offender

A person who repeatedly commits offenses.

first-time offender

A person who is committing an offense for the first time.

status offender

A person who has committed an act that would not be a crime if they were an adult.

crime

An act that violates a law.

punishment

A penalty inflicted for wrongdoing.

rehabilitation

The process of re-educating or restoring an offender's ability to function in society.

bad apple

He's a real bad apple, always getting into trouble.

criminal

Don't hang out with him; he's a criminal.