true crime

noun

: a nonfiction genre of literature, film, podcasts, etc. that depicts and examines real crime cases

Fans of true crime will enjoy this collection of tales from the annals of American justice …

—Jennifer Moore

—usually used before another noun

a true crime podcast/documentary/novel

In each episode, legal and criminal justice experts give you the inside scoop on the most shocking true crime stories … to hit the news.

—LeeAnn Huntoon

As true crime podcasts, TV shows, books and online content continue to prove popular, cases never truly fade from the spotlight.

—Bethany Bruner

Examples of true crime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the surface, the gay angle isn’t a problem — only a fool would suggest there’s any difference between a gay or straight psychopath, and this was a real event after all, loosely based on a true crime novel by Nicola Lagioia. — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026

The trial brings to a head a decades-old case that for years has drawn the eyes of hip-hop fans and true crime experts alike. — Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Summers’ depiction of grief, revenge and her implicit critique of true crime media was smart and unflinching. — Rebecca Stafford, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

The podcasts are filling something of a vacuum for Netflix, providing expansive content that covers genres like true crime, cooking, interviews and news. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for true crime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime