noun
Uncommon
plaintiff
PLAYN-tihf
Plaintiff (noun) means the person who brings a case against someone else in a civil lawsuit. Example: “The plaintiff argued that the company had breached the contract.”
noun
1
The person who brings a case against someone else in a civil lawsuit.
"The plaintiff argued that the company had breached the contract."
"The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff."
How to use plaintiff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe person suing someone else in a civil court case (as opposed to the defendant, who is being sued).
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "plaintive," which describes a sad or mournful sound — they come from the same root but mean very different things today.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
the plaintiff argued
rule in favor of the plaintiff
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Word forms
- Plural
- plaintiffs
Fill the gap
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The _____ argued that the company had breached the contract.
Etymology
From Old French plaintif, "complaining" — the same root that gives us "plaintive," making them etymological twins.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “plaintiff” mean?
The word “plaintiff” means the person who brings a case against someone else in a civil lawsuit. In plain terms, the person suing someone else in a civil court case (as opposed to the defendant, who is being sued).
How do you pronounce “plaintiff”?
“Plaintiff” is pronounced PLAYN-tihf (/ˈpleɪntɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “plaintiff” in a sentence?
Here is “plaintiff” used in a sentence: “The plaintiff argued that the company had breached the contract.”
What part of speech is “plaintiff”?
“Plaintiff” is a noun.
Where does the word “plaintiff” come from?
The word “plaintiff” comes from Old French. From Old French plaintif, "complaining" — the same root that gives us "plaintive," making them etymological twins.
Is “plaintiff” a common word?
“Plaintiff” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a plaintiff and a defendant?
The plaintiff is the person who brings a civil lawsuit against another party, while the defendant is the person being sued and required to respond to the claim. The plaintiff must prove their case, and the defendant defends against it.
Is plaintiff used in criminal cases?
No, plaintiff is a civil law term. In criminal cases, the party bringing charges is called the prosecution or the state, not the plaintiff, since criminal cases are brought on behalf of the public rather than a private individual.
What is the difference between a plaintiff and a claimant?
Plaintiff and claimant both refer to the person who initiates a civil lawsuit, but claimant is more commonly used in UK and Commonwealth legal systems, while plaintiff remains the standard term in the United States.
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