gangster
gb/ɡˈæŋstɚ/ us/ɡˈæŋstɚ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
role
1
member of a criminal gang
a person in a criminal gang
Usage pattern:
a [gangster]; [gangster]s
Common mistake:
Don’t use this word for any ‘group’ of friends; it usually implies serious crime.
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.)
Collocations
notorious gangster
|armed gangster
|violent gangster
|former gangster
|gangster boss
|gangster leader
|gangster network
|organized-crime gangster
|gangster violence
|gangster territory
Themes
crime
|law
|society
Examples
- The police arrested a suspected gangster linked to an organized crime group.
- The documentary traced how a local gangster rose to power in the 1990s.
- Witnesses said two gangsters fled the scene in a black SUV.
Learner examples
- The gangster was sent to prison.
- He was once a gangster, but he changed his life.
Noun
informal
B2
role
2
violent criminal or thug
a violent criminal
Usage pattern:
a [gangster]; act like a [gangster]
Common mistake:
This sense can be exaggerated or judgmental; it’s often used as a label rather than a precise description.
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.)
Collocations
street gangster
|small-time gangster
|wannabe gangster
|local gangster
|gangster tactics
|gangster behavior
|gangster attitude
|gangster threats
|gangster bully
|gangster type
Themes
crime
|violence
|society
Examples
- They called him a gangster because he used threats to get what he wanted.
- A group of gangsters tried to shake down the shop owner for money.
- She refused to be intimidated by a few gangsters hanging around outside.
Learner examples
- He acted like a gangster and scared people.
- The gangster threatened the driver.
adjective
B2
property
3
relating to gangsters or gangs
about gangsters or gangs
Usage pattern:
[gangster] + noun
Common mistake:
Often used before a noun (e.g., ‘gangster movie’); it’s less common as a standalone adjective in formal writing.
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.)
Collocations
gangster movie
|gangster story
|gangster novel
|gangster culture
|gangster lifestyle
|gangster slang
|gangster violence
|gangster era
|gangster boss
|gangster territory
Themes
crime
|media
|culture
Examples
- He wrote a gangster novel set in Chicago during Prohibition.
- The series focuses on a gangster family and their rivalries.
- The museum has an exhibit on gangster culture in the early twentieth century.
Learner examples
- We watched a gangster movie.
- She likes gangster stories.
adjective
slang
C1
property
4
tough or cool in style
slang: very tough or cool
Usage pattern:
That’s [gangster].
Common mistake:
This can sound inappropriate or stereotypical, and it may not be understood or welcomed in formal settings.
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.)
Collocations
that’s gangster
|pretty gangster
|so gangster
|gangster vibe
|gangster look
|gangster move
|gangster attitude
Themes
slang
|culture
|emotions
Examples
- Fixing it with a paper clip was kind of gangster, honestly.
- He showed up in a sharp suit and called it a gangster look.
- Some people think that line sounds gangster, but others find it cringe.
Learner examples
- They said the new bike is gangster.
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.
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.
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.
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.