# operandi

/ˌɑpɝˈændaɪ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/operandi
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

the usual way that a person or group does something, especially when they are doing something illegal. It is often used to describe the specific methods a criminal uses to commit crimes.

For teachers: the usual way in which a person or group operates, particularly in the context of criminal activity. Often used in the plural to describe the specific methods or patterns of a perpetrator.

## Examples

- The police are trying to learn the criminal's modus operandi.
- By analyzing the security footage, investigators identified a consistent modus operandi that involved disabling the alarm system before entering the building.
- The forensic team noted that the suspect's modus operandi had evolved over the last decade, shifting from physical break-ins to sophisticated digital intrusions that bypassed traditional security protocols.

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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.