noun

offender

uh-FEHN-duh

noun

A person who commits a crime or breaks the law.

"First-time offenders were offered community service instead of jail time."

A person or thing that causes a problem, especially repeatedly.

"Of all the apps draining her battery, social media was the worst offender."

How to Use Offender

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA lawbreaker, or more loosely, whatever is most at fault for a problem.

Common pairings

a repeat offender a first-time offender the worst offender

offenders plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

First-time _____ were offered community service instead of jail time.

From "offend" plus the agent suffix "-er" — someone who offends.

ender gender fender tender bender render lender sender slender blender spender lavender