Meaning & Definition of Traitor in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: A person who commits treason by violating allegiance to one's sovereign or state.

  Example Sentence: The traitor was captured and punished for his betrayal.

• Definition: Someone who betrays a friend, causing harm to that friend's interests.

  Example Sentence: She felt hurt when her closest friend became a traitor.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'traitor', from Latin 'traditor', meaning one who delivers or surrenders.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• sell out: To betray someone or something, especially for personal gain.
• double agent: A spy who pretends to be loyal to one side while secretly working for another.
• playing both sides: To support or manipulate two opposing groups for one’s own benefit.

Translations

• Spanish: traidor

• French: traître

• German: Verräter

• Russian: предатель

Related Words

• betrayal: The act of betraying someone or something.

• treason: The crime of betraying one's country.

• defection: The desertion of one's country or cause in favor of an opposing one.

Slang Meanings of traitor

• Meaning: snitch

  Example Sentence: He’s nothing but a snitch for telling the authorities.

• Meaning: rat

  Example Sentence: Don’t be a rat by giving away your friends' secrets.