gangster
gb/ɡˈæŋstɚ/ us/ɡˈæŋstɚ/
B2
English
gengszter, gengszteres, vagány, kemény
NOUN
B2
1
gengszter
B2
Usage pattern:
a [gangster]; [gangster]s
The police arrested a suspected gangster linked to an organized crime group.
A rendőrség letartóztatott egy feltételezett gengsztert, akit kapcsolatba hoztak egy szervezett bűnözői csoporttal.
The documentary traced how a local gangster rose to power in the 1990s.
A dokumentumfilm bemutatta, hogyan jutott hatalomra egy helyi gengszter az 1990-es években.
Witnesses said two gangsters fled the scene in a black SUV.
Learner examples
The gangster was sent to prison.
A gengsztert börtönbe küldték.
He was once a gangster, but he changed his life.
Régebben gengszter volt, de megváltoztatta az életét.
Common mistake:
Don’t use this word for any ‘group’ of friends; it usually implies serious crime.
Meaning
member of a criminal gang
Collocations
notorious gangster
|armed gangster
|violent gangster
|former gangster
|gangster boss
|gangster leader
|gangster network
|organized-crime gangster
|gangster violence
|gangster territory
Synonyms
mobster (Often suggests mafia-style organized crime.)
|
gang member (More general; can be less tied to organized crime.)
|
criminal (Broader; not necessarily connected to a gang.)
Antonyms
law-abiding citizen (Someone who follows the law rather than breaking it.)
Themes
crime
|law
|society
Definition
a person in a criminal gang
A person who belongs to a gang that commits crimes, especially a group involved in organized crime.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
gengszter
B2
Usage pattern:
a [gangster]; act like a [gangster]
They called him a gangster because he used threats to get what he wanted.
Gengszternek nevezték, mert fenyegetéssel érte el, amit akart.
A group of gangsters tried to shake down the shop owner for money.
Egy csapat gengszter pénzt próbált kizsarolni a boltostól.
She refused to be intimidated by a few gangsters hanging around outside.
Learner examples
He acted like a gangster and scared people.
Úgy viselkedett, mint egy gengszter, és megijesztette az embereket.
The gangster threatened the driver.
A gengszter megfenyegette a sofőrt.
Common mistake:
This sense can be exaggerated or judgmental; it’s often used as a label rather than a precise description.
Meaning
violent criminal or thug
Collocations
street gangster
|small-time gangster
|wannabe gangster
|local gangster
|gangster tactics
|gangster behavior
|gangster attitude
|gangster threats
|gangster bully
|gangster type
Synonyms
thug (Common informal word for a violent person.)
|
hoodlum (Slightly old-fashioned term for a violent troublemaker.)
|
bully (Focuses on intimidating others; may not imply crime.)
Antonyms
gentle person (Someone who is not violent or threatening.)
Themes
crime
|violence
|society
Definition
a violent criminal
A violent or threatening criminal, even if not clearly part of a formal gang.
B2
3
gengszteres
B2
Usage pattern:
[gangster] + noun
He wrote a gangster novel set in Chicago during Prohibition.
Egy, a szesztilalom kori Chicagóban játszódó gengszterregényt írt.
The series focuses on a gangster family and their rivalries.
A sorozat egy gengsztercsaládra és a rivalizálásukra összpontosít.
The museum has an exhibit on gangster culture in the early twentieth century.
Learner examples
We watched a gangster movie.
Egy gengszterfilmet néztünk.
She likes gangster stories.
Szereti a gengsztertörténeteket.
Common mistake:
Often used before a noun (e.g., ‘gangster movie’); it’s less common as a standalone adjective in formal writing.
Meaning
relating to gangsters or gangs
Collocations
gangster movie
|gangster story
|gangster novel
|gangster culture
|gangster lifestyle
|gangster slang
|gangster violence
|gangster era
|gangster boss
|gangster territory
Synonyms
mob-related (More specific to mafia-style organized crime.)
|
criminal (Broader; not necessarily about gangs.)
Antonyms
lawful (Connected with following the law rather than crime.)
Themes
crime
|media
|culture
Definition
about gangsters or gangs
Connected with gangsters, gangs, or organized crime, especially in style, culture, or subject matter.
C1
SLANG
4
Usage pattern:
That’s [gangster].
Fixing it with a paper clip was kind of gangster, honestly.
Őszintén szólva elég vagány volt, hogy egy gemkapoccsal javította meg.
He showed up in a sharp suit and called it a gangster look.
Egy elegáns öltönyben jelent meg, és azt mondta, hogy ez egy vagány megjelenés.
Some people think that line sounds gangster, but others find it cringe.
Learner examples
They said the new bike is gangster.
Azt mondták, hogy az új bicikli vagány.
Common mistake:
This can sound inappropriate or stereotypical, and it may not be understood or welcomed in formal settings.
Meaning
tough or cool in style
Collocations
that’s gangster
|pretty gangster
|so gangster
|gangster vibe
|gangster look
|gangster move
|gangster attitude
Synonyms
badass (Similar meaning but often stronger and can be vulgar in tone.)
|
tough (More neutral and widely acceptable.)
|
hardcore (Emphasizes intensity or extreme commitment.)
Antonyms
soft (Not tough or intimidating in this slang sense.)
|
uncool (Not impressive or stylish.)
Themes
slang
|culture
|emotions
Definition
slang: very tough or cool
Used in slang to describe something as tough, intimidating, boldly confident, or (in some contexts) impressively cool in a way associated with gangster stereotypes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gangster
IPA
GB/ɡˈæŋstɚ/
US/ɡˈæŋstɚ/
Syllables & stress
gang - ster (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (gang)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gangster
- Plural: gangsters
Word family
Forms
gangsters
noun
Core family
gang
noun B1
Related words
gangland
noun
Advanced or less common
gangsterism
noun
Expressions
gangster chic
1/ɡˈæŋstɚ ʃˈik/
fixed phrase
fashion inspired by gangsters
a fashion style that looks like a gangster’s style
Examples
- The photo shoot went for a gangster chic vibe with suits and heavy chains.
- Some critics said the campaign glamorized crime by selling gangster chic.
- Her outfit mixed vintage tailoring with a gangster chic edge.
Learner examples
- The magazine described it as gangster chic.
gangster movie
1/ɡˈæŋstɚ mˈuvi/
fixed phrase
film about gangsters
a movie about gangsters
Examples
- We watched a classic gangster movie after dinner.
- She loves gangster movies set in 1930s New York.
- The director said he wanted to make a gangster movie with a modern setting.
Learner examples
- Let’s watch a gangster movie.
gangster rap
1/ɡˈæŋstɚ ɹˈæp/
fixed phrase
rap music about street crime
a type of rap about crime and street life
Examples
- He grew up listening to gangster rap in the 1990s.
- The article traces the rise of gangster rap and the controversy around it.
- Some artists reject the gangster rap label even if their lyrics are gritty.
Learner examples
- She likes gangster rap.
gangster-style
1/ɡˈæŋstɚ stˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
informal
in a gangster-like way
in a way that looks like a gangster
Examples
- He wore his hat gangster-style, tilted to one side.
- They tried to decorate the party gangster-style with fake money and props.
- The ad showed the product used gangster-style, with dramatic lighting and tough poses.
Learner examples
- He wore his cap gangster-style.