umbrage

American  

[uhm-brij] / ˈʌm brɪdʒ /

noun

1. offense; annoyance; displeasure.

   to feel umbrage at a social snub; to give umbrage to someone; to take umbrage at someone's rudeness.

   Synonyms:

   resentment, grudge, pic

2. the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt, hostility, or the like.

3. leaves that afford shade, as the foliage of trees.

4. shade or shadows, as cast by trees.

5. a shadowy appearance or semblance of something.

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umbrage British  

/ ˈʌmbrɪdʒ /

noun

1. displeasure or resentment; offence (in the phrase give or take umbrage )

2. the foliage of trees, considered as providing shade

3. rare shadow or shade

4. archaic a shadow or semblance

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Etymology

Origin of umbrage

1400–50; late Middle English < Old French; see umbra, -age

Explanation

When someone takes umbrage at something, they find it offensive, and it probably makes them angry. Umbrage comes from the same source as umbrella, the Latin umbra, "shade, shadow." The umbrella was invented to keep you in shade, and when you take umbrage at something, you're casting a shadow over the person or thing responsible for the offense. I take umbrage at the suggestion that I'm not a nice person: it's offensive and infuriating. After having devoted my life to helping animals, I might take umbrage at the notion that I've been doing it for publicity purposes: I resent the idea that it was for any other reason than my love of animals.

Example Sentences

I expected Williams to take umbrage with the idea that he was a font of misinformation, but surprisingly, he wasn’t exactly bothered by that charge.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

“Sylvia covers her apples with brown sugar,” Helen says, taking deep umbrage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

Fiona - until recently, the "secret traitor" - took umbrage at Rachel's tactics and confronted her in front of the others, accusing her of lying and of being a traitor.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

Are there any other family members you need to be aware of who may take umbrage at your arrangement with your mom, such as a brother or a sister?

From MarketWatch • Dec. 15, 2025

Christine also took umbrage at the Soviets’ excursion into the heavens.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• annoyance
• displeasure
• offense