criminal
gb/kɹˈɪmənəl/ us/kɹˈɪmənəl/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Person guilty of a crime
A person who has done something against the law.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a criminal
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'criminal' with 'crime'. 'Crime' is the illegal act; 'criminal' is the person who does it.
Synonyms
offender (More general term for someone who breaks the law; can include minor offenses.)
|
lawbreaker (Informal term emphasizing violation of the law.)
Antonyms
law-abiding citizen (Refers to someone who follows laws and does not commit crimes.)
Collocations
dangerous criminal
|convicted criminal
|hardened criminal
|petty criminal
|career criminal
Themes
law
|crime
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police finally caught the criminal after a long investigation.
- She believes the criminal should serve a long prison sentence.
- The judge described him as a dangerous criminal.
- That neighborhood has a problem with petty criminals.
- The documentary followed the life of a career criminal.
Learner examples
- The police arrested the criminal.
- The criminal is in jail now.
- He is a dangerous criminal.
- A criminal broke into my house.
adjective
B1
property
2
Relating to crime or criminals
About crime or people who do crimes.
Usage pattern:
criminal [activity/behavior/law]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'crime' instead of 'criminal' as an adjective; 'crime activity' is incorrect, should be 'criminal activity'.
Synonyms
illegal (Broad term for not allowed by law; not always connected to criminals directly.)
Antonyms
lawful (Permitted by law and not related to crime.)
Collocations
criminal activity
|criminal behavior
|criminal law
|criminal investigation
Themes
law
|crime
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was arrested for his involvement in criminal activity.
- The government is working to reduce criminal behavior in the city.
- She specializes in criminal law.
- The report detailed the rise in criminal gangs.
Learner examples
- They work to stop criminal activity.
- He studies criminal law.
- The police watch for criminal behavior.
- That area has many criminal gangs.
adjective
informal
B2
property
3
Extremely bad or morally wrong
Very bad or unfair (not always against the law).
Usage pattern:
It's criminal to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use always means 'illegal', but it can be figurative for 'very bad'.
Synonyms
outrageous (Strongly shocking or unfair, often causing anger.)
Antonyms
acceptable (Considered reasonable or fair in the situation.)
Collocations
criminal waste
|criminal neglect
Themes
emotions
|judgment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It's criminal to waste so much food when people are hungry.
- The way they treated her was simply criminal.
- Charging that much for water is almost criminal.
Learner examples
- It is criminal to hurt animals.
- Throwing away food is criminal.
- That price is criminal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
criminal
IPA
GB/kɹˈɪmənəl/
US/kɹˈɪmənəl/
Syllables & stress
crim - in - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (crim)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: criminal
Noun
- Base: criminal
- Plural: criminals
Word family
Forms
criminals
noun
Core family
crime
noun A2
Related words
criminally
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
decriminalize
verb
Advanced or less common
criminalize
verb
criminality
noun
criminology
noun
criminologist
noun
Expressions
career criminal
1/kɚˈɪɹ kɹˈɪmənəl/
fixed phrase
Person committing crimes long-term
A person who keeps doing crimes for many years and makes it their way of living.
Examples
- The police identified him as a career criminal with dozens of arrests.
- Career criminals often start at a young age.
criminal justice system
1/kɹˈɪmənəl d͡ʒˈʌstɪs sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
Law system for crime and punishment
All the laws, courts, and police that deal with crime and punishment.
Examples
- The book explains how the criminal justice system works in the United States.
- Many believe the criminal justice system needs reform.
criminal record
1/kɹˈɪmənəl ɹˈɛkɚd/
fixed phrase
Official history of past crimes
An official list of crimes that someone has done.
Examples
- He couldn't get the job because of his criminal record.
- She has no criminal record and a clean background check.
petty criminal
1/pˈɛti kɹˈɪmənəl/
fixed phrase
Person committing minor crimes
A person who does small illegal things like stealing little things or damaging property.
Examples
- Petty criminals are often given lighter sentences than violent offenders.
- He started out as a petty criminal before moving on to bigger crimes.