noun
pedophile
PEE-duh-fyl
noun
1
An adult who is sexually attracted to young children.
"The documentary examined how authorities track convicted pedophiles."
How to Use Pedophile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA term for an adult sexually attracted to children — a serious clinical and legal term, not used loosely.
When to use it
A serious, often legally and clinically loaded term; not used casually or as a general insult.
UK vs US
British English often spells it "paedophile."
Word Forms
pedophiles plural
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Etymology
From Greek pais/paid-, "child," and philos, "loving," modeled on the Greek word paidophiles.