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noun

traitor

TRAY-tuh
noun
1
A person who betrays their country, cause, or the trust placed in them.
"He was branded a traitor for leaking the documents to a rival power."
"The general was executed as a traitor after the failed coup."
2
Someone who betrays a friend, group, or confidence more generally.
"She felt like a traitor for telling his secret."

How to Use Traitor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who betrays their country, group, or someone's trust.

Common pairings
branded a traitor act of a traitor traitor to the cause

Word Forms

more traitor comparative, traitored past tense, traitors plural, traitors singular, most traitor superlative

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He was branded a _____ for leaking the documents to a rival power.

Etymology

From Old French traïtor, from Latin trāditor ("one who hands over"), from trādō, "to hand down or surrender" — a doublet of "tradition."

Related Words

Rhymes for traitor

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial