How to pronounce offend
Say it like uh-FEND. Offend has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce offend. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- FEND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Offend pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FENDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of offend
American and British speakers say offend in essentially the same way: /əˈfɛnd/ in the US and /əˈfɛnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-FEND.
What does offend mean?
- cause to feel resentment or indignation“Her tactless remark offended me”
- act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises“offend all laws of humanity”“violate the basic laws or human civilization”
- strike with disgust or revulsion“The scandalous behavior of this married woman shocked her friends”
Where does offend come from?
From Middle French offendre, from Latin offendō (“strike, blunder, commit an offense”), from ob- (“against”) + *fendō (“strike”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with offend
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of offend.
Questions about saying offend
How do you pronounce offend?
Say uh-FEND. The American pronunciation is /əˈfɛnd/. In British English it is /əˈfɛnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in offend?
Offend has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FEND). Broken into parts: uh · FEND.
Do Americans and Brits say offend the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈfɛnd/ and the British form is /əˈfɛnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.