gangster
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a member of an organized group of criminals.
n.a member of a criminal organization or street gang, typically involved in racketeering or violent crime.
Simple“The movie tells the story of a famous gangster in Chicago during the 1920s.”
In context“Federal investigators spent years building a case against the notorious gangster, eventually securing a conviction for tax evasion and racketeering.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.used to describe someone or something that is very cool, impressive, or tough.
adj.an evaluative slang term used to denote something admirable, audacious, or stylistically impressive.
Simple“That was a gangster move to quit your job and start your own company.”
In context“The way she handled that difficult negotiation was totally gangster, earning her the respect of everyone in the boardroom.”
Teacher's tipIn modern slang, this is often used as a compliment for someone who shows confidence or takes a bold risk.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to behave like a criminal or participate in gang activities.
v.to engage in activities characteristic of a gangster, such as street crime or organized racketeering.
Simple“He spent his youth trying to gangster his way to the top of the neighborhood.”
In context“The documentary explores how local youths were pressured to gangster for the cartel in exchange for protection and status.”
Synonyms
“Patterson explains his decision to end in 1990 by asking, “Has there been a truly great gangster movie since Goodfellas?”
From gang + -ster. First attested in 1884.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.