Culprit: meaning, definitions and examples

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culprit

[ˈkʌl.prɪt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

criminal investigation

A person responsible for a crime or wrongdoing, especially when it has not been discovered or proved.

Synonyms

criminal, perpetrator, wrongdoer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
culprit	Used when referring to a person who is responsible for a crime or problem, often in a less serious or humorous context. After hours of investigation, the mechanic discovered that the faulty wire was the culprit behind the engine failure. When the vase broke, the mother quickly found the culprit to be the family's playful cat.
perpetrator	Often used in official or legal contexts to describe someone who has committed a specific act, usually a serious crime. The police were searching for the perpetrator of the armed robbery. The investigator looked for clues to identify the perpetrator of the cyber attack.
criminal	Used in more formal settings, especially in legal or law enforcement contexts, to refer to someone who has committed a crime. The police finally apprehended the criminal after a long and tedious investigation. She was determined to make the streets safer by putting every criminal behind bars.
wrongdoer	Used to describe someone who engages in morally or legally wrong behavior. It's a more general and sometimes less harsh term. Despite his good intentions, he was branded as a wrongdoer for breaking the company’s rules. They felt a moral duty to expose every wrongdoer in the organization.

Examples of usage

The police were still searching for the culprit of the burglary.
It took months to identify the culprits behind the cyber attack.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

casual conversation

A person or thing responsible for causing a problem or harm.

Synonyms

cause, reason, source.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
culprit	Used when referring to a person or thing responsible for a problem or crime, often with a negative connotation. The police finally apprehended the culprit behind the series of break-ins. The faulty wiring was the culprit for the electrical fire.
cause	Used to refer to something that brings about an effect or a result. It is often neutral and can be used in various contexts, including science, medicine, and everyday life. Smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. Lack of sleep can cause several health problems.
source	Used when identifying the origin of something, particularly information, resources, or a phenomenon. It often has a neutral connotation and is common in research and journalism. He provided a reliable source for his article. The river is the main source of water for the village.
reason	Used to explain why something happens or why someone does something. It is more abstract and can refer to both situational and logical explanations. The reason for his absence was a family emergency. She had every reason to be upset after hearing the news.

Examples of usage

The main culprit for the traffic jam was the construction on the highway.
One of the culprits for global warming is the excessive use of fossil fuels.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'culpabilis,' meaning 'blameworthy.'
In the 16th century, it was adopted into English as 'culprit,' originally referring to a person who was accused in a court.

Law

In legal contexts, a culprit can denote someone charged with a crime but not necessarily proven guilty until a trial.
The phrase 'culprit in question' is often used in investigations to refer to the suspected individual.

Pop Culture

In many detective stories, the culprit is usually a surprise twist, keeping readers guessing until the end.
Movies and TV shows often use the trope of the 'culprit' to create suspense and intrigue in crime narratives.

Psychology

Studies show that people are quick to assign blame to others as a way to protect their own self-image.
The concept of identifying a culprit can lead to group dynamics, often turning communities against the accused.

Literature

In classic literature, the search for the culprit often drives the plot and character development, revealing moral lessons.
Works like Agatha Christie's mysteries explore the psychology behind a culprit's actions, shedding light on motivations and backstories.

Translations

Translations of the word "culprit" in other languages:

🇵🇹 culpado

🇮🇳 अपराधी

🇩🇪 Schuldiger

🇮🇩 pelaku

🇺🇦 винуватець

🇵🇱 winowajca

🇯🇵 犯人 (hannnin)

🇫🇷 coupable

🇪🇸 culpable

🇹🇷 suçlu

🇰🇷 범인 (beom-in)

🇸🇦 مذنب

🇨🇿 viník

🇸🇰 vinník

🇨🇳 罪犯 (zuìfàn)

🇸🇮 krivca

🇮🇸 sekur

🇰🇿 кінәлі

🇬🇪 დამნაშავე (damnashave)

🇦🇿 cinayətkar

🇲🇽 culpable

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,302, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16299 preoperative
16300 absentee
16301 seduction
16302 culprit
16303 bur
16304 disabling
16305 tot
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