offside

adverb or adjective

off·​side ˈȯf-ˈsīd How to pronounce offside (audio)
: illegally in advance of the ball or puck

Examples of offside in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the goal was called back when the cameras caught him a shade offside. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 2 July 2026 The joy ended quickly as the sideline official raised his flag to rule offside. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026 Ronaldo had also seemed to get that first knockout goal just minutes earlier, but he was called offside. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 The teams traded chances, goals were called offside and there were near misses before Portugal finally broke through and tied the match up. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for offside

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of offside was in 1864

Phrases Containing offside

Rhymes for offside

See All Rhymes for offside

Browse Nearby Words

off sick
offside
offsider
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Cite this Entry

“Offside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offside. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

offside

adverb or adjective
off·​side ˈȯf-ˈsīd How to pronounce offside (audio)
: illegally in advance of the ball or puck

More from Merriam-Webster on offside

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about offside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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