noun
Uncommon
felony
FEH-luh-nee
Felony (noun) means a serious crime, typically punishable by at least a year in prison, as opposed to a lesser misdemeanor. Example: “Burglary is charged as a felony in most states.”
noun
1
A serious crime, typically punishable by at least a year in prison, as opposed to a lesser misdemeanor.
"Burglary is charged as a felony in most states."
"Stealing a car is a felony and can lead to prison."
"He was convicted of a felony and lost his licence."
How to use felony
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe most serious category of crime in US law, above misdemeanors — things like murder, rape, and grand theft.
UK vs US
The felony/misdemeanor split is central to US law; the UK instead classifies crimes as summary, either-way, or indictable offences.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
charged with a felony
a felony conviction
commit a felony
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Word forms
- Plural
- felonies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Burglary is charged as a _____ in most states.
Etymology
From Old French felonie ("wickedness, evil deed"), from felon ("evildoer").
Synonyms
View more →
serious crime
indictable offense
criminal offense
major crime
Rhymes for felony
See all rhymes for felony →Frequently asked questions
What does “felony” mean?
The word “felony” means a serious crime, typically punishable by at least a year in prison, as opposed to a lesser misdemeanor. In plain terms, the most serious category of crime in US law, above misdemeanors — things like murder, rape, and grand theft.
How do you pronounce “felony”?
“Felony” is pronounced FEH-luh-nee (/ˈfɛləni/ in IPA).
How do you use “felony” in a sentence?
Here is “felony” used in a sentence: “Burglary is charged as a felony in most states.”
What part of speech is “felony”?
“Felony” is a noun.
Where does the word “felony” come from?
The word “felony” comes from Old French. From Old French felonie ("wickedness, evil deed"), from felon ("evildoer").
Is “felony” a common word?
“Felony” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "felony" and a "misdemeanor"?
A felony is a more serious crime, typically punishable by at least a year in prison, while a misdemeanor is a lesser offense usually carrying a shorter jail term, a fine, or probation.
What generally happens if someone is convicted of a felony?
A felony conviction usually leads to a prison sentence of a year or more, and depending on the jurisdiction, it can also result in a lasting criminal record and loss of certain civil rights.
Is "felony" a legal term or an everyday word?
"Felony" is a formal legal term used in criminal law and court proceedings to classify the severity of a crime, rather than a casual, everyday word.
