Criminal: meaning, definitions and examples

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criminal

[ ˈkrɪmɪnl ]

^{Context #1}

law enforcement

A person who has committed a crime, especially a felony. Criminals may be punished by imprisonment, fines, or other penalties.

Synonyms

culprit, lawbreaker, offender

Examples of usage

The police are searching for the criminal who robbed the bank.
The criminal was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his actions.

^{Context #2}

legal system

Relating to crime or criminals. Involving illegal activities or behavior.

Synonyms

felonious, illegal, unlawful

Examples of usage

The judge ruled that the defendant's actions were criminal in nature.
The company was found guilty of criminal negligence in the workplace.

Translations

Translations of the word "criminal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 criminal

🇮🇳 अपराधी

🇩🇪 kriminell

🇮🇩 kriminal

🇺🇦 кримінальний

🇵🇱 kryminalny

🇯🇵 犯罪者

🇫🇷 criminel

🇪🇸 criminal

🇹🇷 suçlu

🇰🇷 범죄자

🇸🇦 مجرم

🇨🇿 kriminální

🇸🇰 kriminálny

🇨🇳 犯罪的

🇸🇮 kaznivo

🇮🇸 brotlegur

🇰🇿 құқықбұзушы

🇬🇪 კრიმინალური

🇦🇿 cinayətkar

🇲🇽 criminal

Word origin

The word 'criminal' originated from the Latin word 'criminalis', which means 'pertaining to crime'. The concept of criminal behavior has been a part of human societies since ancient times, with various forms of punishment evolving over centuries. Today, criminal law is a crucial aspect of legal systems worldwide, aiming to maintain order and protect citizens from harm.