# villainous

/ˈvɪɫənəs/ (US) · /vˈɪlənəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/villainous
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

describing someone who is very mean, cruel, or dishonest. You use this to talk about a character in a story who does bad things, or a person who acts in a bad way.

For teachers: characterised by extreme wickedness, cruelty, or dishonesty. Often used to describe fictional antagonists or real-life individuals with a reputation for malevolence.

## Examples

- The movie features a villainous character who steals the treasure.
- The villainous plot involves a secret society that plans to destroy the city's power grid.
- The protagonist must navigate a villainous web of lies and betrayal to uncover the truth behind the corporate scandal.

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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.