offside

[ awf-sahyd, of- ]

adjective

1. Sports. illegally beyond a prescribed line or area or in advance of the ball or puck at the beginning of or during play or a play:

   The touchdown was nullified because the offensive left tackle was offside.

2. with or in doubtful propriety or taste; risqué:

   an offside joke.

offside

/ ˈɒfˈsaɪd /

adjective

1. sport (in football, hockey, etc) in a position illegally ahead of the ball or puck when it is played, usually when within one's opponents' half or the attacking zone

noun

1. the offside
   the offside
   1. the side of a vehicle nearest the centre of the road (in Britain, the right side)
   2. ( as modifier )

      the offside passenger door

Word History and Origins

Origin of offside¹

First recorded in 1840–50; off + side ¹

Example Sentences

The Argentine defense attempted to play the Nigerian attack offside, which could have stopped play in their favor, but Amunike struck the ball, and won the match for the Super Eagles.

From Time

Press was also called offsides on a score in the second half of extra time, as was Morgan.

From Time

Julian Gressel’s blast slammed against the crossbar, and Pérez was a hair offside on Skundrich’s through ball.

From Washington Post

Early on, Werner put Chelsea ahead when he scored on a pass from Ben Chilwell, but he was called offside.

From Washington Post

Ben Chilwell set up his go-ahead goal early on, but Werner was called offside.

From Washington Post

Replays showed that he was level with the last defender, certainly not offside.

From The Daily Beast

On Wednesday, a beautiful goal was ruled offside, a decision that numerous, infuriating replays showed was shockingly erroneous.

From The Daily Beast

The offside flap had been torn off, so had both stirrup-irons, the stirrup leather remained.

From Project Gutenberg

He pulled a rein, and brought the light of the offside lamp to bear on a milestone with a bill pasted upon it.

From Project Gutenberg

Go back fifteen yards for offside play and take a drop kick at yourself!

From Project Gutenberg

Wire entanglements are known as the Zoo, while German spies are playing offside.

From Project Gutenberg

This “offside” rule gives much trouble to the young player, though why it should do so it is not easy to say.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• erroneous
• inaccurate
• mistaken
• sadly mistaken
• wrong