Word Noun
scoundrel
n.
countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈskaʊndɹəɫ/ UK /skˈaʊndɹəl/ scoundrel UK spelling scoundrel's, scoundrel's
Definition
n.a person who behaves badly or treats others unfairly. You use this word for someone who is dishonest and lacks a sense of duty or honor.
n.a person who lacks principles or behaves in a dishonest and unscrupulous manner. Often carries a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone in modern usage.
Examples
“That scoundrel stole my money and disappeared.”
“The protagonist spent the first half of the novel as a charming scoundrel before finally deciding to help the village.”
“History remembers him not as a hero, but as a self-serving scoundrel who betrayed his allies for personal gain during the height of the conflict.”
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated