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

The case riveted the public and spawned true crime documentaries, podcasts and books. — Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Some of the people included a work colleague, a renter and a school parent, according to the true crime docuseries. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

The sheer breadth of the material meant that, according to McBride, the shape of each episode wasn’t clear at first, leading them to evolve their true crime storytelling. — Rory Doherty, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

The streamer recently ordered a sequel to the ’90s cult classic Clueless, a Scottish family drama called Laird and the true crime drama Fear Not, among others. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 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