noun
villainy
Villainy (noun) means Wicked or evil behaviour; a wicked act. Example: “The knight vowed to put an end to the baron's villainy.”
noun
1
Wicked or evil behaviour; a wicked act.
"Mos Eisley spaceport- you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."
— Star Wars, spoken by Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) (1977)
"The knight vowed to put an end to the baron's villainy."
"Blackmail, theft, and worse — the gang's villainy knew no limits."
How to use villainy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEvil or dishonest behaviour, or a wicked act itself.
Common pairings
acts of villainy
sheer villainy
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like villainy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- villainies
- Comparative
- more villainy
- Superlative
- most villainy
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight vowed to put an end to the baron's _____.
Etymology
From Old French vilenie, related to villain.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for villainy
See all rhymes for villainy →Frequently asked questions
What does “villainy” mean?
The word “villainy” means wicked or evil behaviour; a wicked act. In plain terms, evil or dishonest behaviour, or a wicked act itself.
How do you use “villainy” in a sentence?
Here is “villainy” used in a sentence: “The knight vowed to put an end to the baron's villainy.”
What is another word for “villainy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “villainy” include atrociousness, awfulness, badness, corruption, corruptness and criminality.
What is the opposite of “villainy”?
The opposite of “villainy” — its antonyms — are dogoodery, good, goodness, heroism and virtue.
What part of speech is “villainy”?
“Villainy” is a noun.
Where does the word “villainy” come from?
The word “villainy” comes from Old French. From Old French vilenie, related to villain.
