ofensywny

Ofensywny is a Polish adjective meaning offensive in the sense of causing offense, being insulting or aggressive, as well as in a military context referring to an offensive operation or campaign. In everyday language it often describes language, behavior, or acts that are meant to provoke, hurt, or violate norms, for example ofensywny język (offensive language) or ofensywna uwaga (offensive remark). In a military or strategic sense, it describes actions aimed at an initial attack or forward movement, such as plan ofensywny or kampania ofensywna.

Etymology and related terms: ofensywny derives from the noun ofensywa or the older term ofensa (offense), itself rooted in Latin offensa. The suffix -wny forms adjectives from nouns, producing a word that agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies. Related terms include obraźliwy (insulting), agresywny (aggressive), and wulgarny (vulgar), which are often used as closer equivalents in everyday Polish.

Usage notes: The word is standard across formal and informal registers and is commonly paired with nouns to specify the type of offense or aggression. It can describe both linguistic or behavioral offensiveness and military offensives. When describing offensive language or remarks, more specific synonyms like obraźliwy or wulgarny may be used depending on the context.

Morphology: Like other Polish adjectives, ofensywny declines by gender and number to match the noun it modifies. Examples in nominative case include ofensywny ruch (masculine singular), ofensywna odpowiedź (feminine singular), and ofensywne języki (neuter or plural). It follows standard adjective inflection patterns in Polish.

See also: ofensywa, plan ofensywny, kampania ofensywna, obraźliwy, agresywny.