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

Which is why customers won’t see extensive material on local true crime cases, like Bob Berdella, out of respect to the victims’ families still around, Cameron said. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026

But social media has dramatically changed the way people consume true crime over the past three decades, replacing a passive viewing with a constant stream of commentary, speculation and reactions unfolding in real time. — Addie Morfoot, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

But even if some questions remain unanswered, the filmmakers are hopeful that those drawn to true crime docuseries like Death of the Pastor’s Wife can find catharsis. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 27 Aug. 2026

Coduto said true crime already has an enormous audience, but the Clancy story is different because a mother is at the center of the case, leaving many people trying to make sense of what happened. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 27 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