noun
Fagin
FAY-gihn
Fagin (noun) means a person who recruits and trains children to commit crimes, profiting from what they steal. Example: “Police described the gang leader as a modern-day Fagin.”
noun
1
A person who recruits and trains children to commit crimes, profiting from what they steal.
"Police described the gang leader as a modern-day Fagin."
How to use Fagin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who exploits children by teaching them to steal or commit crime for his own profit.
Memory tip
Always capitalized when referring directly to the Dickens character; lowercase "a fagin" is used more loosely for the general type.
Trace the full origin ↓ Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Fagin.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Fagins
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police described the gang leader as a modern-day _____.
Etymology
From Fagin, the character who runs a gang of child pickpockets in Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Fagin” mean?
The word “Fagin” means a person who recruits and trains children to commit crimes, profiting from what they steal. In plain terms, someone who exploits children by teaching them to steal or commit crime for his own profit.
How do you pronounce “Fagin”?
“Fagin” is pronounced FAY-gihn (/ˈfeɪɡɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Fagin” in a sentence?
Here is “Fagin” used in a sentence: “Police described the gang leader as a modern-day Fagin.”
What part of speech is “Fagin”?
“Fagin” is a noun.
