Criminal

/ˈkrɪmɪnəl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

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

The police arrested the criminal after a lengthy investigation.

A person who engages in illegal activities.

The criminal was known for his involvement in organized crime.

A person whose behavior is contrary to legal norms.

Society often struggles to rehabilitate the criminal back into the community.

adjective

Relating to or involving crime.

The city has seen a rise in criminal activity over the past year.

Having the nature of a crime; illegal.

He was involved in a criminal conspiracy.

Worthy of condemnation or punishment.

The criminal negligence shown by the company led to severe consequences.

From Latin 'criminalis', from 'crimen' meaning 'crime'.

criminal record

A documented history of a person's criminal convictions.

criminal justice

The system of practices and institutions that uphold social control by enforcing laws.

criminal offense

An act that is considered a crime and is punishable by law.

crime

An act that violates a law.

punishment

A penalty imposed for a wrongdoing.

law

A system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions.

crook

He's a crook who always finds a way to evade the law.

bad guy

In the movie, the bad guy always escapes from the police.