hoodlum
7 synonyms for hoodlum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A violent or lawless young troublemaker; a small-time thug.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
First recorded in an 1866 San Francisco newspaper describing a "Hoodlum Gang" of young thieves; the exact origin is debated, with theories ranging from German dialect words for "ragamuffin" to a garbled gang call.
Full origin of hoodlum →Frequently asked questions
What does “hoodlum” mean?
The word “hoodlum” means a violent or lawless young troublemaker; a small-time thug. In plain terms, an informal word for a young thug or petty criminal.
How do you pronounce “hoodlum”?
“Hoodlum” is pronounced HOOD-luhm (/ˈhuːdləm/ in IPA).
How do you use “hoodlum” in a sentence?
Here is “hoodlum” used in a sentence: “A gang of hoodlums smashed the shop window.”
What part of speech is “hoodlum”?
“Hoodlum” is a noun.
Where does the word “hoodlum” come from?
The word “hoodlum” dates back to around 1866 and comes from German. First recorded in an 1866 San Francisco newspaper describing a "Hoodlum Gang" of young thieves; the exact origin is debated, with theories ranging from German dialect words for "ragamuffin" to a garbled gang call.
