criminal in English
- criminal⇄adj. 1. guilty of wrongdoing.
Ex. a criminal person.
(SYN) culpable.
2. that is a crime.
Ex. Murder and stealing are criminal acts.
(SYN) unlawful, illegal, felonious.
3. of or having to do with crime or its punish - criminal⇄criminal, noun, adjective.
- criminal⇄noun a person who has committed a crime.
Ex. The criminal was sentenced to prison for theft.
(SYN) offender, lawbreaker, malefactor, felon, culprit.
criminal in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
criminal in Hindi हिन्दी
criminal in Kashmiri कॉशुर
criminal in Tamil தமிழ்
Criminal
Part of Speech
Adjective, Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈkrɪmɪnəl/
Definitions
- 1. Adjective: Relating to or involving crime or wrongdoing.
- 2. Noun: A person who has committed a crime or wrongdoing.
Usage Examples
- "The police arrested the criminal after a long investigation."
- "He was known for his criminal activities in the underworld."
Etymology
The word "criminal" comes from the Latin "criminalis," which means "pertaining to crime." It evolved from the word "crimen" meaning "accusation" or "crime." The word has been used in the English language since the early 14th century.
Synonyms
- Offender
- Wrongdoer
- Lawbreaker
- Delinquent
- Felon
Antonyms
- Innocent
- Law-abiding
- Virtuous
- Ethical
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Criminal | /kɾiˈminal/ |
| French | Criminel | /kʁi.mi.nɛl/ |
| German | Kriminell | /kʁɪˈmɪnɛl/ |
| Italian | Criminale | /kri.miˈna.le/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 罪犯 | /zuìfàn/ |
| Japanese | 犯罪者 | /hanzai-sha/ |
| Russian | Преступник | /prʲɪsˈtuplʲɪk/ |
Translations in Indian Languages
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | अपराधी | /aparaadhee/ |
| Bengali | অপরাধী | /ôpôraadhī/ |
| Tamil | குற்றவியல் | /kuttraviyaḷ/ |
| Telugu | ఆపరాధి | /āparādhi/ |
| Gujarati | અપરાધી | /apārādhī/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
Pronunciation of "criminal" may vary slightly across different dialects of English, but remains fairly consistent in major accents like American, British, and Australian English. For example, in some regional accents, the 'i' sound may be pronounced differently.
Historical Usage
The term "criminal" has been in use since the 14th century, derived from the Latin "criminalis" (pertaining to crime). It initially referred to one accused of wrongdoing and eventually evolved to describe those convicted of crimes. The term gained more prominence during the development of modern legal systems.
Cultural Nuances
In many societies, the term "criminal" is heavily associated with negative stigma. However, in certain cultures or situations, individuals labeled as criminals might be viewed with more nuance, such as victims of social injustice or political oppression.
More Information
The word "criminal" is often used in legal contexts, both to describe individuals involved in criminal activity and to categorize various offenses. Over time, criminal law has expanded to cover a wide range of behaviors, and the concept of "criminality" has evolved beyond legal definitions to include moral and social implications. Understanding the word "criminal" often involves considering the cultural, legal, and historical contexts in which it is used.