Plagiarist: meaning, definitions and examples

📝

Add to dictionary

plagiarist

[ˈpleɪdʒərɪst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

person

A person who steals another person's ideas, writings, or inventions and passes them off as their own.

Synonyms

copycat, pirate, thief.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
plagiarist	This term is often used in academic and literary settings to describe someone who takes someone else's work and presents it as their own. It carries a serious and formal connotation. The professor caught the student and labeled him a plagiarist for copying an entire paragraph from a published article. In the world of scholarly research, being called a plagiarist can ruin one's career.
copycat	This term is less formal and is often used in everyday conversation to describe someone who imitates another's actions or work. It can be used in both serious and light-hearted contexts. My little brother is such a copycat; he always wants to do what I do. The new startup is a copycat of that established tech company, copying their entire business model.
thief	This is a broad, general term for someone who steals something. It can be used in both physical and intellectual property contexts, and it usually carries a strongly negative connotation. The art thief managed to steal several paintings from the museum. Calling someone a thief for taking your idea can escalate the situation.
pirate	This term refers to someone who illegally copies and distributes copyrighted material, such as software, music, or movies. It is frequently used in the context of digital media. He was arrested for being a software pirate, distributing cracked versions of expensive programs. Online streaming services are constantly fighting against pirates who share their content for free.

Examples of usage

He was exposed as a plagiarist after copying a famous author's work without permission.
The student was expelled from school for being a plagiarist.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

academic

A person who copies someone else's work and presents it as their own, especially in an academic context.

Synonyms

cheater, copyist, imposter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
plagiarist	Used to describe someone who copies others' work or ideas and claims them as their own, often in academic, literary, or creative fields. The journalist was exposed as a plagiarist after he copied an entire article from another publication. She was disqualified from the competition for being a plagiarist after it was discovered she used someone else's design.
cheater	Refers to someone who deceives others, especially in order to gain an advantage or win a game, test, or competition. This term has a broad usage in many areas including academics, sports, and relationships. He was caught as a cheater during the exam for using hidden notes. No one likes playing cards with him because he has a reputation for being a cheater.
copyist	Generally applies to someone who reproduces the works of others, typically in a professional setting like copying manuscripts or artworks. It does not imply deceit or dishonesty. During the Renaissance, many artists employed copyists to reproduce their famous paintings. As a music copyist, her job was to create duplicate scores for the orchestra.
imposter	Describes someone who pretends to be someone else to deceive others, often for personal gain or to commit fraud. This term strongly implies dishonesty and deceit. The imposter was arrested after pretending to be a doctor and treating patients without any qualifications. She felt betrayed when she discovered her online friend was actually an imposter who had been lying about his identity.

Examples of usage

The professor was shocked to discover that one of his students was a plagiarist.
Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic circles.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin term 'plagiarius', meaning 'kidnapper', showing how taking ideas is like taking something that isn’t yours.
In the 17th century, the term began to refer specifically to stealing ideas in literature, marking a shift from its original meaning.

Historical Context

Famous cases of plagiarism can be traced back to ancient Rome, with poets who borrowed lines from each other’s works.
In the 19th century, the rise of publishing and literature saw increased attention to originality and the ethics of borrowing ideas.

Legal Implications

Plagiarism can lead to serious consequences, including legal action, academic penalties, or professional repercussions.
Many universities have strict honor codes that define and penalize plagiarism to uphold integrity in education.

Pop Culture

High-profile cases, such as accusations against politicians and writers, often spark public debates about ethics and originality.
Movies and books sometimes depict characters who steal others’ work, highlighting moral questions about creativity.

Psychology

Some studies suggest individuals who plagiarize may have lower self-esteem and seek validation through others' work.
The act of plagiarism can reveal deeper issues with creativity or originality, leading to a lack of authentic self-expression.

Translations

Translations of the word "plagiarist" in other languages:

🇵🇹 plagiador

🇮🇳 साहित्यिक चोर

🇩🇪 Plagiator

🇮🇩 plagiator

🇺🇦 плагіатор

🇵🇱 plagiator

🇯🇵 剽窃者 (ひょうせつしゃ)

🇫🇷 plagiaire

🇪🇸 plagiador

🇹🇷 intihalcı

🇰🇷 표절자 (pyojeolja)

🇸🇦 محتال أدبي

🇨🇿 plagiátor

🇸🇰 plagiátor

🇨🇳 剽窃者 (piāoqiè zhě)

🇸🇮 plagiator

🇮🇸 ritstuldur

🇰🇿 плагиатшы

🇬🇪 პლაგიატორი (plagiatori)

🇦🇿 plagiatçı

🇲🇽 plagiador

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,885, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
36882 sidle
36883 breezily
36884 mitered
36885 plagiarist
36886 impertinently
36887 weldable
36888 gloominess
...