victim

The word “victim” means a person who is harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, disease, or other misfortune. In plain terms, someone (or something) harmed by a crime, accident, or misfortune — or a creature offered in sacrifice.

“Victim” is pronounced VIHK-tihm (/ˈvɪktɪm/ in IPA).

Here is “victim” used in a sentence: “The charity supports victims of domestic abuse.”

Words with a similar meaning to “victim” include injured party.

The opposite of “victim” — its antonyms — is offender.

“Victim” is a noun.

The word “victim” comes from Latin. From Latin victima, "sacrificial animal," via Middle French victime.

“Victim” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Both refer to someone harmed by crime, disaster, or illness, but the tone differs. Victim emphasises the harm done and the person's suffering. Survivor emphasises that they came through it and endured. Many people prefer survivor because it stresses strength and recovery rather than helplessness.

Victim is the broader word for anyone harmed by a crime, accident, disease, or misfortune. Casualty is more specific, usually meaning a person killed or injured in a war, disaster, or accident. All casualties are victims, but not every victim is called a casualty.

To play the victim is to act as though you are being wronged or are helpless in order to gain sympathy, avoid blame, or influence others, even when this is exaggerated or untrue. It is a critical phrase, implying the person's victimhood is chosen or performed rather than real.

For example: 'She was the victim of a burglary while on holiday.' Here victim names the person harmed by a crime. The word applies just as naturally to accidents and illness, as in a victim of the flood or a cancer victim.