VocabDictionary

criminal

/ˈkrɪmɪnəl/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A person who has committed a crime or has been convicted of a crime by a court.

Example Sentences:
  • The police finally caught the criminal after a nationwide manhunt.
  • Rehabilitation programs aim to help former criminals reintegrate into society.
2.adjective

Relating to, involving, or having the nature of a crime; guilty of crime.

Example Sentences:
  • He was found guilty of criminal activity involving fraud and embezzlement.
  • The detective gathered enough evidence to launch a criminal investigation.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “criminal”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimen (genitive criminis) meaning 'charge, accusation, or crime', ultimately related to cernere meaning 'to decide or judge'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a CRIME inside a CRIME-IN-AL alley to remember someone who breaks the law.

Frequently Asked Questions About “criminal

1. What is the meaning of “criminal” in English?

In English, criminal (noun) is defined as: “A person who has committed a crime or has been convicted of a crime by a court.”.

2. How do you use “criminal” in a sentence?

The police finally caught the criminal after a nationwide manhunt.

3. What are English synonyms of “criminal”?

Common synonyms include:offender,lawbreaker,felon,culprit

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “criminal”?

Derived from the Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimen (genitive criminis) meaning 'charge, accusation, or crime', ultimately related to cernere meaning 'to decide or judge'.