gangster
GANG-stuh
Gangster (noun) means a member of an organized criminal gang. Example: “The film is a classic story about a small-time gangster rising to power.”
noun
1
A member of an organized criminal gang.
"The film is a classic story about a small-time gangster rising to power."
"The old novel follows a gangster who tries to leave his gang."
"Every gangster in the town knew the boss by name."
adj
1
Informal: tough, admirable, or impressively bold in a criminal-cool sense.
"Wearing that suit to the meeting was pretty gangster of him."
How to use gangster
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA criminal belonging to an organized gang, or (as slang) something impressively bold or "cool".
When to use it
The adjective use ("that's gangster") is very informal slang.
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Word forms
- Plural
- gangsters
- Third person singular
- gangsters
- Past tense
- gangstered
- Comparative
- more gangster
- Superlative
- most gangster
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film is a classic story about a small-time _____ rising to power.
Etymology
From gang + -ster, first recorded in the 1880s.
Class of 1880
gangster joined the language around 1880.
See the full Class of 1880 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “gangster” mean?
The word “gangster” means a member of an organized criminal gang. In plain terms, a criminal belonging to an organized gang, or (as slang) something impressively bold or "cool".
How do you pronounce “gangster”?
“Gangster” is pronounced GANG-stuh (/ˈɡæŋ.stəː/ in IPA).
How do you use “gangster” in a sentence?
Here is “gangster” used in a sentence: “The film is a classic story about a small-time gangster rising to power.”
What part of speech is “gangster”?
Depending on how it is used, “gangster” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “gangster” come from?
The word “gangster” dates back to around 1880. From gang + -ster, first recorded in the 1880s.
Is “gangster” a common word?
“Gangster” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “gangster” have?
“Gangster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of an organized criminal gang.
What is the difference between a gangster and a criminal?
A gangster specifically refers to a member of an organized criminal gang, implying structure and group affiliation, while a criminal is a broader term for anyone who commits a crime, whether alone or as part of a group.
What does it mean when someone is described informally as gangster?
Used informally as an adjective, gangster can describe something or someone as tough, admirable, or impressively bold in a criminal-cool sense, often as slang praise rather than a literal claim of criminal activity.
Is gangster used the same way in formal and informal contexts?
No, as a noun gangster is used in formal, neutral contexts to describe organized crime membership, while its adjective use is informal slang expressing admiration for boldness or style.
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