criminal
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.someone who has committed a crime or has been found guilty by a court.
n.a person who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of an offence.
Simple“The police are still searching for the criminal who robbed the bank.”
In context“The justice system aims to rehabilitate the criminal rather than simply imposing a punitive sentence for the sake of retribution.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.describing an action that is against the law.
adj.relating to, involving, or being a crime; forbidden by law.
Simple“Stealing a car is a serious criminal act that can lead to prison.”
In context“The investigation uncovered a vast criminal network involved in international money laundering and tax evasion.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.relating to the part of the legal system that deals with crimes.
adj.relating to the administration of penal law or the prosecution of crimes.
Simple“She decided to study criminal law because she wanted to be a prosecutor.”
In context“The defendant's criminal record was presented to the judge during the sentencing phase of the trial.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
adj.used to describe something that is very unfair, wasteful, or disappointing.
adj.deplorable, shocking, or extremely wasteful; used as a figurative intensifier for undesirable situations.
Simple“It is criminal to waste so much good food when people are hungry.”
In context“The neglect of such a beautiful historic building is absolutely criminal, especially given the city's recent investment in urban renewal.”
SynonymsAntonymspraiseworthyadmirable
Usage criminal justice · criminal charges · criminal activity
From Middle English cryminal, borrowed from Anglo-Norman criminal, from Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimen (“crime”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.