noun

Javert

Javert (noun) means someone who hunts down a person they believe has done wrong, with rigid, relentless determination. Example: “The auditor became a real Javert once he suspected fraud.”

noun

Someone who hunts down a person they believe has done wrong, with rigid, relentless determination.

"The auditor became a real Javert once he suspected fraud."

"She played the Javert of the office, tracking every minor rule-break."

How to use Javert

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA relentless pursuer, named after the famous fictional inspector.

Memory tip

Usually used with "a" or "like a" — "he was like a Javert about it."

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Word forms

Javerts plural

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The auditor became a real _____ once he suspected fraud.

Etymology

Named after Inspector Javert, the unyielding police officer who chases the hero across Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables.

· First attested 1862

Class of 1862 Javert joined the language around 1862.

Gatling

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Rhymes for Javert

avert

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Javert” mean?

The word “Javert” means someone who hunts down a person they believe has done wrong, with rigid, relentless determination. In plain terms, a relentless pursuer, named after the famous fictional inspector.

How do you use “Javert” in a sentence?

Here is “Javert” used in a sentence: “The auditor became a real Javert once he suspected fraud.”

What part of speech is “Javert”?

“Javert” is a noun.

Where does the word “Javert” come from?

The word “Javert” dates back to around 1862. Named after Inspector Javert, the unyielding police officer who chases the hero across Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables.