misdemeanor
mihs-dih-MEE-nuh
Misdemeanor (noun) means a minor criminal offence, less serious than a felony and usually punished with a fine or short sentence. Example: “Shoplifting a candy bar was charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.”
noun
1
A minor criminal offence, less serious than a felony and usually punished with a fine or short sentence.
"Shoplifting a candy bar was charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony."
How to use misdemeanor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small-scale crime, less serious than a felony.
UK vs US
Mainly an American legal term; British English usually just says "minor offence."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a misdemeanor charge
convicted of a misdemeanor
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like misdemeanor.
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
- misdemeanors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Shoplifting a candy bar was charged as a _____ rather than a felony.
Etymology
From mis- + demeanor.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for misdemeanor
See all rhymes for misdemeanor →Frequently asked questions
What does “misdemeanor” mean?
The word “misdemeanor” means a minor criminal offence, less serious than a felony and usually punished with a fine or short sentence. In plain terms, a small-scale crime, less serious than a felony.
How do you pronounce “misdemeanor”?
“Misdemeanor” is pronounced mihs-dih-MEE-nuh (/ˌmɪsdɪˈmiːnə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “misdemeanor” in a sentence?
Here is “misdemeanor” used in a sentence: “Shoplifting a candy bar was charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony.”
What part of speech is “misdemeanor”?
“Misdemeanor” is a noun.
Is “misdemeanor” a common word?
“Misdemeanor” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
