Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

offside

adjective

/ˈɔːf.saɪd/

Definition

A position in sports, especially in games like soccer, where a player is deemed to be in an illegal position when the ball is played to them.

Examples

The referee called the goal back because the player was offside.
In soccer, a player is offside if they are closer to the opponent’s goal line than the second-last opponent when the ball is played to them.

Meaning

Offside generally means being in a position that is not allowed according to the rules of the game, often to prevent unfair advantages for attacking players.