menace
MEH-nihs
Menace (noun) means a serious threat or source of danger. Example: “The escaped tiger was a menace to the whole village.”
noun
1
A serious threat or source of danger.
"The escaped tiger was a menace to the whole village."
2
An annoying or troublesome person, especially used affectionately for a mischievous child.
"That kid is a real menace at school."
verb
1
To threaten or intimidate someone; to endanger something.
"Dark storm clouds menaced the coastline."
How to use menace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA threat or danger — or, more lightly, a troublesome or mischievous person.
Common pairings
a public menace
menace to society
menace someone
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like menace.
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
- menaces
- Third person singular
- menaces
- Past tense
- menaced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The escaped tiger was a _____ to the whole village.
Etymology
From Old French menace, from Late Latin minācia ("threat"), from Latin mināx ("threatening").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for menace
See all rhymes for menace →Frequently asked questions
What does “menace” mean?
The word “menace” means a serious threat or source of danger. In plain terms, a threat or danger — or, more lightly, a troublesome or mischievous person.
How do you pronounce “menace”?
“Menace” is pronounced MEH-nihs (/ˈmɛnɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “menace” in a sentence?
Here is “menace” used in a sentence: “The escaped tiger was a menace to the whole village.”
What part of speech is “menace”?
Depending on how it is used, “menace” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “menace” come from?
The word “menace” comes from Late Latin. From Old French menace, from Late Latin minācia ("threat"), from Latin mināx ("threatening").
Is “menace” a common word?
“Menace” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “menace” have?
“Menace” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a serious threat or source of danger.
What is the difference between "menace" and "threat"?
Menace and threat both describe a source of danger, but menace often carries a stronger sense of an ongoing or looming danger, while threat can refer to a single specific warning or act. "Menace" is also used more loosely and even affectionately for a mischievous person, a sense "threat" doesn't share.
Can "menace" be used affectionately, for example about a child?
Yes, menace has a second, softer sense used for an annoying or troublesome person, especially a mischievous child, where it expresses fond exasperation rather than genuine danger.
How is "menace" used as a verb differently from its noun use?
As a verb, "menace" means to threaten or intimidate someone, or to endanger something, describing an action, whereas the noun form names the danger or troublesome person itself.
