noun
vigilante
vihj-ih-LAN-tee
noun
1
A person who takes it upon themselves to punish wrongdoing or enforce justice without legal authority.
"The film follows a vigilante who hunts down criminals the police can't catch."
"Local vigilantes patrolled the streets after a string of break-ins."
How to Use Vigilante
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who dishes out their own version of justice, outside the law.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "vigilant" (the adjective meaning watchful) — a vigilante is a person, vigilant describes a state of alertness.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
vigilante justice
act as a vigilante
vigilante group
Word Forms
vigilantes plural, Vigilantes plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “vigilante”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film follows a _____ who hunts down criminals the police can't catch.
Etymology
Borrowed from Spanish vigilante ("watchman, guard"), from Latin vigilans ("watchful") — a doublet of "vigilant."