offender
gb/əfˈɛndɚ/ us/əfˈɛndɚ/
B1
English
~ 4400
elkövető, bűnelkövető, jogsértő, bajkeverő, ludas, rendbontó
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an offender
The police caught the offender within hours of the robbery.
A rendőrség a rablás után néhány órán belül elfogta az elkövetőt.
Repeat offenders may face longer prison sentences.
A visszaeső bűnelkövetők hosszabb börtönbüntetésre számíthatnak.
The program helps juvenile offenders return to society.
The court ordered the offender to pay a fine.
Sex offenders must register with the authorities.
Learner examples
The police found the offender quickly.
A rendőrség gyorsan megtalálta az elkövetőt.
The judge spoke to the offender.
A bíró beszélt az elkövetővel.
The offender went to prison.
The police caught the offender at the station.
The offender broke the law.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'offender' with 'offense'. 'Offender' is the person; 'offense' is the illegal act.
Meaning
person who breaks the law
Collocations
first-time offender
|repeat offender
|sex offender
|juvenile offender
|serious offender
Synonyms
criminal (A broader term for someone who has committed a crime, often used interchangeably but can include more serious connotations.)
|
lawbreaker (Informal term for someone who disobeys the law.)
Antonyms
law-abiding citizen (Refers to a person who follows the law, opposite of offender in this sense.)
Themes
law
|crime
|justice
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who has done something against the law.
A person who has committed a crime or other illegal act.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an offender
In this case, the main offender was the company's poor management.
Ebben az esetben a fő ludas a vállalat rossz vezetése volt.
Loud music after midnight makes you an offender in this neighborhood.
Ezen a környéken már azzal is rendbontónak számítasz, ha éjfél után hangos zenét hallgatsz.
The real offenders behind the failed project were never identified.
The coach spoke to the offenders about their unsportsmanlike conduct.
Learner examples
The manager found the offender in the group.
A vezető megtalálta a bajkeverőt a csoportban.
The teacher spoke to the offenders after class.
A tanár óra után beszélt a rendbontókkal.
He was the main offender in the fight.
The dog was the real offender for the mess.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume 'offender' always refers to crime; in this sense it can be non-criminal wrongdoing.
Meaning
person causing harm or trouble
Collocations
main offender
|real offender
|culprit and offender
Synonyms
culprit (Often used for someone responsible for a problem; may be informal or formal depending on context.)
|
wrongdoer (Neutral term for someone who does something morally or socially wrong.)
Antonyms
innocent party (A person not responsible for causing harm or trouble.)
Themes
daily life
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
A person who does something wrong or causes problems, but not always breaking the law.
A person whose actions cause harm, annoyance, or trouble, even if not illegal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
offender
IPA
GB/əfˈɛndɚ/
US/əfˈɛndɚ/
Syllables & stress
of - fend - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fend)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: offender
- Plural: offenders
Word family
Expressions
first-time offender
1/fˈɚst tˈaɪm əfˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
person's first offense
Someone who has broken the law or rules for the first time.
Examples
- The court was more lenient because she was a first-time offender.
- First-time offenders may get community service instead of jail.
repeat offender
1/ɹɪpˈit əfˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
person who offends repeatedly
Someone who breaks the law or rules many times.
Examples
- The judge gave a harsher sentence because he was a repeat offender.
- Repeat offenders are often monitored closely by the police.
sex offender
1/sˈɛks əfˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
person guilty of sexual crime
Someone found guilty of a sexual crime.
Examples
- Sex offenders must register with local authorities.
- The law protects communities from known sex offenders.
juvenile offender
1/d͡ʒˈuvənˌaɪl əfˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
young person who committed a crime
A young person, not a legal adult, who has broken the law.
Examples
- Juvenile offenders often go to special rehabilitation programs.
- The center offers education and counseling for juvenile offenders.
- The judge specializes in cases involving juvenile offenders.
- Juvenile offenders are often kept separate from adult prisoners.