Word
thug
US/ˈθəɡ/
UK/θˈʌɡ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a violent person, especially a criminal who treats others roughly. You use this word for someone who uses physical force to get what they want.
n. a violent person, typically a criminal or a member of a gang. Often carries a connotation of physical intimidation or brutality.
Examples
“The shopkeeper was attacked by a local thug.”
“The politician hired a group of thugs to intimidate his rivals and disrupt their campaign events.”
“While the film attempts to humanize the protagonist, he remains a common thug whose primary method of negotiation is the threat of physical violence.”
Examples
simple
“The shopkeeper was attacked by a local thug.”
contextual
“The politician hired a group of thugs to intimidate his rivals and disrupt their campaign events.”
complex
“While the film attempts to humanize the protagonist, he remains a common thug whose primary method of negotiation is the threat of physical violence.”
Usage
Often used as a pejorative to describe someone perceived as low-class or violent.
Etymology
From Hindi ठग (ṭhag, “swindler, fraud, cheat”). Thuggee was a network of gangs in India from the 17th century to the 19th century who robbed and murdered travellers, often by strangling and beating their victims to death. During British Imperial rule of India, many Indian words passed into common English, and by 1810 thug referred to a member of these Indian gangs. The sense was adopted more generally as "ruffian, cutthroat, and cruel robber" by 1839. Related to English thatch, deck.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/thug