adj
nefarious
nih-FEH-uh-ree-uhs
Nefarious (adj) means Wicked or criminal, especially in a way that is notorious or widely condemned. Example: “The gang was finally caught after years of nefarious activity.”
adj
1
Wicked or criminal, especially in a way that is notorious or widely condemned.
"The fact that the room was still in darkness made it obvious that something nefarious was afoot. Plainly there was dirty work in preparation at the cross-roads."
— P. G. Wodehouse (1921)
"“I try to let everyone back here in Minnesota know exactly the nefarious activities that are taking place in Washington.”"
— Monica Davey, Fact Checker Finds Falsehoods in Remarks (2009)
"Aliens have a nefarious connotation in many science fiction books."
"The gang was finally caught after years of nefarious activity."
"He had a nefarious reputation long before the scandal broke."
How to use nefarious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply wicked or criminal — usually said of plans, plots, or deeds rather than everyday bad behaviour.
When to use it
A formal, slightly dramatic word — often used almost tongue-in-cheek about villains and schemes.
Common pairings
nefarious plot
nefarious activities
nefarious scheme
nefarious purposes
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like nefarious.
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
- Comparative
- more nefarious
- Superlative
- most nefarious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gang was finally caught after years of _____ activity.
Etymology
From Latin nefarius, "wicked" — built from ne- ("not") and fas ("what is right in the eyes of the gods").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for nefarious
See all rhymes for nefarious →Frequently asked questions
What does “nefarious” mean?
The word “nefarious” means wicked or criminal, especially in a way that is notorious or widely condemned. In plain terms, deeply wicked or criminal — usually said of plans, plots, or deeds rather than everyday bad behaviour.
How do you pronounce “nefarious”?
“Nefarious” is pronounced nih-FEH-uh-ree-uhs (/nɪˈfɛəɹi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “nefarious” in a sentence?
Here is “nefarious” used in a sentence: “The gang was finally caught after years of nefarious activity.”
What part of speech is “nefarious”?
“Nefarious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “nefarious” come from?
The word “nefarious” comes from Latin. From Latin nefarius, "wicked" — built from ne- ("not") and fas ("what is right in the eyes of the gods").
