# vigilante

/ˌvɪdʒəˈɫænti/ (US) · /vˌɪdʒɪlˈænti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

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

## Definition

a person who tries to catch criminals or punish people without having the legal power to do so. They usually act because they think the police are not doing enough.

For teachers: a member of a self-appointed group or an individual who undertakes law enforcement without legal authority. Often motivated by a perceived lack of official justice or police effectiveness.

## Examples

- The neighborhood watch turned into a group of vigilantes.
- After the local robberies increased, some residents acted as vigilantes to patrol the streets at night.
- The film explores the moral ambiguity of a vigilante who seeks personal retribution in a city where the judicial system has completely collapsed.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'vigilante justice' or 'vigilante group'.

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