# perpetrator

/ˈpɝpəˌtɹeɪtɝ/ (US) · /pˈɜːpɪtɹˌeɪtɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/perpetrator
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

someone who does something wrong or illegal. You usually hear this word in news stories about crimes.

For teachers: a person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act. Often used in legal or journalistic contexts to identify the actor without naming them.

## Examples

- The police are still searching for the perpetrator.
- Witnesses were asked to provide a description of the perpetrator to help the investigators identify a suspect.
- Criminologists often study the background of the perpetrator to understand the systemic factors that might have contributed to the commission of the offense.

## Usage notes

- Commonly abbreviated to 'perp' in informal police jargon; typically takes the preposition 'of' when linked to a specific crime.

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