villain
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for villain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A wicked or evil character, especially the main antagonist in a story, film, or drama.
Synonyms
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.
Antonyms
How to use villain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
play the villain
the villain of the piece
a cartoon villain
Etymology
From Old French vilein ("peasant, farmhand"), from Late Latin vīllānus, someone tied to working a country estate (villa). Its meaning shifted over centuries from simply "peasant" to "wicked person," as the upper classes came to see country folk as coarse or untrustworthy.
Full origin of villain →Frequently asked questions
What does “villain” mean?
The word “villain” means a wicked or evil character, especially the main antagonist in a story, film, or drama. In plain terms, the bad guy — a character or person who does wrong or causes harm.
How do you pronounce “villain”?
“Villain” is pronounced VIHL-uhn (/ˈvɪl.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “villain” in a sentence?
Here is “villain” used in a sentence: “The villain in the film was a corrupt businessman plotting to flood the valley.”
What part of speech is “villain”?
“Villain” is a noun.
Where does the word “villain” come from?
The word “villain” comes from Late Latin.
Is “villain” a common word?
“Villain” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a villain and an antagonist?
A villain is a character who is wicked or evil, while an antagonist is simply the character who opposes the protagonist. A villain is usually an antagonist, but an antagonist need not be evil, since they may only have conflicting goals.
What is the difference between "villain" and "villein"?
"Villain" means a wicked character or wrongdoer, while "villein" is a historical term for a feudal peasant bound to a lord's land. The two words share an origin but now mean entirely different things, so they should not be confused in writing.
What is the difference between a villain and a hero?
A villain is the wicked character who works against the story's aims, while a hero is the admirable central figure the audience roots for. The two are usually set in opposition to drive a story's conflict.
What is the plural of "villain"?
The plural is "villains," formed by adding -s. For example, "the film features several memorable villains."
