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Villain: meaning, definitions and examples

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villain

 

[ ˈvɪlən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

evil character

A villain is a character in a story or play who opposes the hero. Villains are often depicted as evil, cruel, or wicked individuals who act in a malicious or immoral way to achieve their goals. They are typically the main source of conflict in a narrative.

Synonyms

antagonist, bad guy, villainous character

Examples of usage

  • The villain plotted to take over the kingdom.
  • The villain's evil deeds knew no bounds.
Context #2 | Noun

person guilty of a crime

In real life, a villain can also refer to a person who is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. This usage is often used to describe someone who has committed a serious offense or acted in a harmful or malicious manner.

Synonyms

criminal, offender, wrongdoer

Examples of usage

  • The police apprehended the villain responsible for the robbery.
  • He was exposed as the villain behind the fraudulent scheme.

Translations

Translations of the word "villain" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vilão

🇮🇳 खलनायक

🇩🇪 Bösewicht

🇮🇩 penjahat

🇺🇦 лиходій

🇵🇱 łotr

🇯🇵 悪役 (akuyaku)

🇫🇷 méchant

🇪🇸 villano

🇹🇷 kötü adam

🇰🇷 악당 (akdang)

🇸🇦 شرير

🇨🇿 padouch

🇸🇰 zločinec

🇨🇳 反派 (fǎnpài)

🇸🇮 zlobnež

🇮🇸 skúrkur

🇰🇿 қаскөй

🇬🇪 ბოროტმოქმედი

🇦🇿 pis adam

🇲🇽 villano

Etymology

The word 'villain' originated in the 14th century from the Old French 'vilain', meaning 'peasant' or 'inhabitant of a village'. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to a character in a story who is evil or wicked. The concept of the villain has been a staple in literature and entertainment, often serving as a foil to the hero.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,527, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.