scoundrel
gb/skˈaʊndɹəl/ us/skˈaʊndɹəl/
B2
English
~ 27400
gazember
NOUN
B2
1
gazember
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a scoundrel
The reporter exposed the businessman as a scoundrel who had stolen money from his own employees.
Az újságíró leleplezte, hogy az üzletember egy gazember, aki pénzt lopott a saját alkalmazottaitól.
Only a real scoundrel would lie to his friends to save himself.
Csak egy igazi gazember hazudna a barátainak, hogy mentse a saját bőrét.
She called him a scoundrel and slammed the door in his face.
History remembers him as a charming scoundrel who cheated almost everyone he met.
The inheritance had been hidden years earlier by some long-dead family scoundrel.
Learner examples
He is a scoundrel who lies to everyone.
Egy gazember, aki mindenkinek hazudik.
Only a scoundrel would take money from a child.
Csak egy gazember venne el pénzt egy gyerektől.
She found out that her boyfriend was a scoundrel.
The police finally caught the scoundrel who stole my car.
I will not work with that scoundrel again.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "scoundrel" with light, playful words like "joker" or "prankster". "Scoundrel" always suggests serious bad or dishonest behavior, even if it is sometimes used in a slightly humorous way. It is also mainly used for people, especially men; it is unnatural to use it for objects or animals.
Meaning
a dishonest or morally bad person
Collocations
lying scoundrel
|cheating scoundrel
|you little scoundrel
|you old scoundrel
|rotten scoundrel
|the miserable scoundrel
Synonyms
villain (Often suggests a bad or cruel person, especially in stories or films; can be more dramatic than "scoundrel".)
|
rogue (Can mean a bad or dishonest person, but is often more playful or affectionate than "scoundrel".)
|
crook (Emphasizes criminal or illegal behavior, especially stealing or cheating for money.)
|
bastard (Much stronger, often vulgar insult; more offensive than "scoundrel".)
Antonyms
gentleman (Suggests a man who behaves with honor, politeness, and good morals, the opposite of a scoundrel.)
|
saint (Describes a person seen as very good and morally perfect, the extreme opposite of a scoundrel.)
Themes
character
|morality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very bad person who lies, cheats, or does wrong things and cannot be trusted.
A person, usually a man, who behaves in a very dishonest, immoral, or shameful way and cannot be trusted.
Grammar
Dictionary form
scoundrel
IPA
GB/skˈaʊndɹəl/
US/skˈaʊndɹəl/
Syllables & stress
scoun - drel (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (scoun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: scoundrel
- Plural: scoundrels
Word family
Forms
scoundrels
noun
Related words
Expressions
cheats, liars, and scoundrels
1/t͡ʃˈits | lˈaɪɚz | ˈænd skˈaʊndɹəlz/
fixed phrase
group label for dishonest people
A fixed way to talk about people who are very dishonest, using three strong negative words together.
Examples
- The article described the corrupt officials as "cheats, liars, and scoundrels" who had betrayed the public trust.
- He swore he would drive all the cheats, liars, and scoundrels out of the company.
- The book is full of cheats, liars, and scoundrels who will do anything for money.
you little scoundrel
1/jˈu lˈɪtəl skˈaʊndɹəl/
fixed phrase
informal
mildly scolding or playful insult
Said to someone, often a child or friend, when they do something bad or naughty, sometimes in a playful or joking way.
Examples
- You little scoundrel, you ate all the cookies before dinner!
- "You little scoundrel," she laughed, when she saw the surprise party he had planned.
- The teacher shook his head and said, "You little scoundrel," but he was clearly amused.
you old scoundrel
1/jˈu ˈoʊld skˈaʊndɹəl/
fixed phrase
informal
affectionate insult to an older man
Said to an older person, usually a man, when he has done something bad, clever, or naughty, often with warm or friendly feeling.
Examples
- "You old scoundrel," she said, hugging her grandfather when she learned he had secretly paid her school fees.
- "You old scoundrel, you knew about this the whole time," his friend said, laughing.
- When the surprise was revealed, everyone turned to him and shouted, "You old scoundrel!"