culprit
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for culprit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The person or thing responsible for a problem, crime, or wrongdoing.
How to use culprit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From an Anglo-Norman legal phrase used when opening a trial, roughly "guilty: ready [to prove our case]" — later mistaken as a term addressing the accused directly.
Full origin of culprit →Frequently asked questions
What does “culprit” mean?
The word “culprit” means the person or thing responsible for a problem, crime, or wrongdoing. In plain terms, whoever or whatever is to blame for something going wrong.
How do you pronounce “culprit”?
“Culprit” is pronounced KUHLP-riht (/ˈkʌlpɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “culprit” in a sentence?
Here is “culprit” used in a sentence: “Police finally identified the culprit behind the break-ins.”
What part of speech is “culprit”?
“Culprit” is a noun.
Where does the word “culprit” come from?
The word “culprit” comes from Anglo-Norman. From an Anglo-Norman legal phrase used when opening a trial, roughly "guilty: ready [to prove our case]" — later mistaken as a term addressing the accused directly.
Is “culprit” a common word?
“Culprit” is an uncommon word in modern English.