noun
pedophile
PEE-duh-fyl
Pedophile (noun) means an adult who is sexually attracted to young children.
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."
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Word forms
- Plural
- pedophiles
Etymology
From Greek pais/paid-, "child," and philos, "loving," modeled on the Greek word paidophiles.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for pedophile
See all rhymes for pedophile →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of pedophile?
"pedophile" (noun) means an adult who is sexually attracted to young children.
What is another word for pedophile?
Other words for "pedophile" include paedophile, childlover.
What is the opposite of pedophile?
The opposite of "pedophile" is teleiophile.
How do you use pedophile in a sentence?
Example: "The documentary examined how authorities track convicted pedophiles."
