# gangster

/ˈɡæŋstɝ/ (US) · /ɡˈæŋstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gangster
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. criminal member

noun · CEFR B2

a member of an organized group of criminals.

For teachers: a member of a criminal organization or street gang, typically involved in racketeering or violent crime.

- The movie tells the story of a famous gangster in Chicago during the 1920s.
- Federal investigators spent years building a case against the notorious gangster, eventually securing a conviction for tax evasion and racketeering.

### 2. cool or tough

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

used to describe someone or something that is very cool, impressive, or tough.

For teachers: an evaluative slang term used to denote something admirable, audacious, or stylistically impressive.

- That was a gangster move to quit your job and start your own company.
- The way she handled that difficult negotiation was totally gangster, earning her the respect of everyone in the boardroom.

Teaching tip: In modern slang, this is often used as a compliment for someone who shows confidence or takes a bold risk.

### 3. to act like a criminal

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

to behave like a criminal or participate in gang activities.

For teachers: to engage in activities characteristic of a gangster, such as street crime or organized racketeering.

- He spent his youth trying to gangster his way to the top of the neighborhood.
- The documentary explores how local youths were pressured to gangster for the cartel in exchange for protection and status.

## Examples

- The local gangster demanded money from every shop owner.
- The new mayor promised to clean up the city by arresting the most powerful gangster in the district.
- In the 1920s, the gangster was a complex figure, representing both the brutality of organized crime and the allure of rapid wealth in a changing society.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.