Word
vandalism
Phoneticsvan·dal·ism
US/ˈvændəɫɪzəm/
UK/vˈændəlˌɪzəm/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the act of damaging or destroying property on purpose. You use this word when someone breaks a window or sprays paint on a wall that isn't theirs.
n. the deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property. Often used in legal or sociological contexts to describe non-consensual physical alteration of an environment.
Examples
“The park was closed after a night of vandalism.”
“Local authorities are installing more security cameras to prevent vandalism in the city's historic district.”
“While some view street art as a form of cultural expression, the law typically treats any unauthorised painting on public infrastructure as a punishable act of vandalism.”
Examples
simple
“The park was closed after a night of vandalism.”
contextual
“Local authorities are installing more security cameras to prevent vandalism in the city's historic district.”
complex
“While some view street art as a form of cultural expression, the law typically treats any unauthorised painting on public infrastructure as a punishable act of vandalism.”
Usage
Uncountable in its general sense; specific acts are usually referred to as 'acts of vandalism' rather than 'vandalisms'.
Real-World Examples
“Overall, however, Canadians do not support vandalism or violence as forms of protest.” “The prime minister, Andy Burnham, also faces a revolt from Labour MPs who oppose the plans, while the former energy secretary Ed Miliband once called the Rosebank proposal “climate vandalism”.” Etymology
Borrowed from French vandalisme, first used by Henri Grégoire to decry the pillage and destruction of art in the course of the French Revolution, in reference to the East Germanic tribe of the Vandals, which looted Rome in 455. By surface analysis, vandal + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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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englishreference.com/q/vandalism