criminal

The word “criminal” means involving or relating to crime, or against the law. In plain terms, relating to crime, or a person who commits crimes.

“Criminal” is pronounced KRIHM-ih-nuhl (/ˈkɹɪm.ɪ.nəl/ in IPA).

Here is “criminal” used in a sentence: “Fraud is a criminal offence.”

Depending on how it is used, “criminal” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “criminal” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimen, "crime" or "accusation.".

“Criminal” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Criminal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: involving or relating to crime, or against the law.

Criminal law deals with acts that harm society and are prosecuted by the state, carrying penalties like fines or imprisonment. Civil law settles private disputes between individuals or organisations, usually over money or rights, where one party sues another. The key difference is that criminal cases punish wrongdoing, while civil cases resolve disagreements.

The two overlap but differ in weight. Illegal simply means against the law, including minor breaches like parking violations. Criminal refers to serious offences that can be prosecuted and punished by the state, such as theft or assault. Something can be illegal without being criminal, but criminal acts are always illegal.

Yes. As an adjective, criminal describes something connected to crime or forbidden by law, so it always carries a disapproving tone. It can also be used informally for emphasis, as in calling a waste of good food 'criminal', but even then it signals that something is badly wrong or unacceptable.

You might say 'the company faced criminal charges' or 'damaging property is a criminal offence.' It commonly pairs with words like record, activity, negligence, or justice. In each case, criminal marks the behaviour as breaking the law, rather than merely being unwise, rude, or morally questionable.