# ringleader

/ˈɹɪŋˌɫidɝ/ (US) · /ɹˈɪŋɡliːdɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ringleader
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

the main person who plans and leads a group doing something bad or illegal. You use it for crimes, scams, or trouble, not for normal teams at work or school.

For teachers: the person who organizes and directs a group engaged in illicit, disruptive, or oppositional activity. Implies active planning and control, with a strongly negative connotation distinguishing it from neutral 'leader'.

## Examples

- The police arrest the ringleader of the theft group.
- After weeks of playground fights, the teacher speaks to the ringleader and asks him to stop encouraging the others.
- Although several members faced charges, prosecutors focused on the ringleader whose messages showed he had recruited the others and planned every step of the fraud.

## Synonyms

mastermind, instigator, kingpin

## Antonyms

follower

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by 'of' plus a noun phrase naming the group or offence.

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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.