Word
perp
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who committed a crime — the one the police are looking for. Short for perpetrator, and you hear it a lot in crime shows.
n. a person believed to have committed a crime, especially as identified by police or journalists. Shortened from perpetrator.
Examples
“The police catch the perp near the station.”
“The officers describe the perp as tall and wearing a red jacket after the shop robbery.”
“The detective interviewed witnesses for hours, hoping one detail would reveal where the perp had gone after leaving the alley.”
Examples
simple
“The police catch the perp near the station.”
contextual
“The officers describe the perp as tall and wearing a red jacket after the shop robbery.”
complex
“The detective interviewed witnesses for hours, hoping one detail would reveal where the perp had gone after leaving the alley.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “perp” in context.
Verb
01. apprehend perp
“Police apprehended the perp less than an hour after the robbery.”
verb + noun
02. arrest perp
“Police arrested the perp outside the train station this morning.”
verb + noun
03. catch perp
“Officers finally caught the perp after a short chase downtown.”
verb + noun
04. chase perp
“Two officers chased the perp on foot through the car park.”
verb + noun
05. identify perp
“Witnesses helped police identify the perp from the security video.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. alleged perp
“The news report blurred the face of the alleged perp.”
adj + noun
07. armed perp
“Officers warned the public that the armed perp was still in the area.”
adj + noun
08. fleeing perp
“The camera followed the fleeing perp through the back streets.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. description of perp
“We need a clear description of the perp for the report.”
noun + prep + noun
10. bring the perp to justice
“Detectives promised to bring the perp to justice quickly.”
11. chase down the perp
“Two officers chased down the perp in the parking lot.”
12. hunt for the perp
“Police continued to hunt for the perp throughout the night.”
Etymology
Clipping of perpetrator.
Clipping of perpetual futures or perpetual bond.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Idioms
01. perp walk
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
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