criminal

1 of 2

adjective

crim·​i·​nal ˈkri-mə-nᵊl 

ˈkrim-nəl

1

: relating to, involving, or being a crime

criminal neglect

a criminal organization

2

: relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime

criminal statistics

brought criminal action

the criminal justice system

3

: guilty of crime

also : of or befitting a criminal

a criminal mind

4

: disgraceful

It's criminal how unfunny this comedy is.

—Rick Bentley

criminally adverb

criminal

2 of 2

noun

1

: one who has committed a crime

2

: a person who has been convicted of a crime

Synonyms of criminal

Adjective

• illegal
• unlawful
• illicit
• felonious
• wrongful

Noun

• offender

Examples of criminal in a Sentence

Adjective

a history of criminal behavior

The captain of the wrecked boat was accused of criminal negligence.

The company brought criminal charges against her.

It's criminal that the government is doing nothing to stop the problem.

Noun

car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Authorities have opened roughly 10 criminal cases against independent journalists and popular bloggers. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Authorities in the criminal complaint identified the three as 47-year-old Jose Rivera, his 5-year-old nephew Andrew and his 2-year-old niece Arlette. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026

Noun

Working together to track these flows would reduce the chance that international criminals can extend their reach beyond any single jurisdiction. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

Hailey Kwon says there is nothing of value to take at Dots Cafe & Bakery that can't be replaced, there is no cash to steal, and she is disturbed that her business has been targeted by criminals yet again. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French criminal, borrowed from Latin crīminālis, from crīmin-, crīmen "indictment, crime" + -ālis -al entry 1

Noun

derivative of criminal entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing criminal

• career criminal
• criminal conversation
• criminal court
• criminal law
• criminal lawyer
• criminal mind
• criminal record

Rhymes for criminal

• liminal
• noncriminal
• subliminal

Kids Definition

criminal

1 of 2 adjective

crim·​i·​nal ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl 

ˈkrim-nəl

1

: being or guilty of a crime

a criminal act

2

: relating to crime or its punishment

criminal court

criminality

ˌkrim-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē

noun

criminally

ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl-ē, 

-nə-lē

adverb

criminal

2 of 2 noun

: a person who has committed a crime

Legal Definition

criminal

1 of 2 adjective

crim·​i·​nal ˈkri-mə-nəl 

1

: relating to, involving, or being a crime

criminal neglect

criminal conduct

2

: relating to crime or its prosecution

brought a criminal action

criminal code

compare civil sense 4, penal

criminal

2 of 2 noun

1

: one who has committed a crime

2

: a person who has been convicted of a crime