criminal
//ˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl//
Forms
- Comparative
- more criminal
- Superlative
- most criminal
- Plural
- criminals
Definitions
1.Against the law; forbidden by law.
- Foppish and fantastic ornaments are only indications of vice, not criminal in themselves.
2.Guilty of breaking the law.
- The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of God.
3.Of or relating to crime or penal law.
- His long criminal record suggests that he is a dangerous man.
- The officers and servants of the crown, violating the personal liberty, or other right of the subject […] in some cases, were liable to criminal process.
4.Abhorrent or very undesirable.
- Printing such asinine opinions is criminal!
1.A person who is guilty of a crime, notably breaking the law.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1917
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English cryminal, borrowed from Anglo-Norman criminal
From Late Latin criminalis
From Latin crimen (“crime”).