Villain: meaning, definitions and examples
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villain
[ ˈvɪlən ]
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.
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
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
Word origin
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.