adjective
Uncommon
heinous
HAY-nuhs
Heinous (adjective) means Shockingly evil or wicked, especially describing a crime. Example: “The judge called it one of the most heinous crimes he'd ever seen.”
adjective
1
Shockingly evil or wicked, especially describing a crime.
"The judge called it one of the most heinous crimes he'd ever seen."
"They were charged with a heinous act of violence."
How to use heinous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely wicked or shockingly bad — used almost exclusively for serious crimes and cruelty.
When to use it
A strong, formal word, common in legal and news contexts rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
heinous crime
heinous act
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more heinous
- Superlative
- most heinous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The judge called it one of the most _____ crimes he'd ever seen.
Etymology
From Old French haïneus, "hateful," itself from haïr, "to hate" — tracing back to a Frankish word for hatred.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for heinous
See all rhymes for heinous →Frequently asked questions
What does “heinous” mean?
The word “heinous” means shockingly evil or wicked, especially describing a crime. In plain terms, extremely wicked or shockingly bad — used almost exclusively for serious crimes and cruelty.
How do you pronounce “heinous”?
“Heinous” is pronounced HAY-nuhs (/ˈheɪnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “heinous” in a sentence?
Here is “heinous” used in a sentence: “The judge called it one of the most heinous crimes he'd ever seen.”
What is the opposite of “heinous”?
The opposite of “heinous” — its antonyms — is unheinous.
What part of speech is “heinous”?
“Heinous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “heinous” come from?
The word “heinous” comes from Old French. From Old French haïneus, "hateful," itself from haïr, "to hate" — tracing back to a Frankish word for hatred.
Is “heinous” a common word?
“Heinous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
