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noun Uncommon

bandit

BAN-diht

Bandit (noun) means an armed robber, especially one operating with a gang in a remote or lawless area. Example: “The stagecoach was ambushed by bandits in the mountain pass.”

noun
1
An armed robber, especially one operating with a gang in a remote or lawless area.
"The stagecoach was ambushed by bandits in the mountain pass."
"Local bandits had been raiding villages for years before the army moved in."
2
In military aviation, an aircraft confirmed to be hostile or enemy-operated.
"Radar picked up a bandit closing fast from the north."

How to use bandit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn outlaw or robber, especially one who preys on travelers or works with a gang.

Common pairings
a gang of bandits armed bandits bandit country

Word forms

bandited past tense, bandits plural, banditti plural, bandits singular

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The stagecoach was ambushed by _____ in the mountain pass.

Etymology

From Italian bandito ("outlawed, banished"), ultimately from the same root as ban — someone officially cast out was branded an outlaw and, in practice, often turned to robbery.

Origin: Italian

Related words

Rhymes for bandit

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Frequently asked questions

What does “bandit” mean?

The word “bandit” means an armed robber, especially one operating with a gang in a remote or lawless area. In plain terms, an outlaw or robber, especially one who preys on travelers or works with a gang.

How do you pronounce “bandit”?

“Bandit” is pronounced BAN-diht (/ˈbændɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “bandit” in a sentence?

Here is “bandit” used in a sentence: “The stagecoach was ambushed by bandits in the mountain pass.”

What is another word for “bandit”?

Words with a similar meaning to “bandit” include bandito, brigand, latron and rapparee.

What part of speech is “bandit”?

“Bandit” is a noun.

Where does the word “bandit” come from?

The word “bandit” comes from Italian. From Italian bandito ("outlawed, banished"), ultimately from the same root as ban — someone officially cast out was branded an outlaw and, in practice, often turned to robbery.

Is “bandit” a common word?

“Bandit” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “bandit” have?

“Bandit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an armed robber, especially one operating with a gang in a remote or lawless area.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial