villain

noun

vil·​lain ˈvi-lən 

1

: a character in a story or play who opposes the hero

2

: a deliberate scoundrel or criminal

3

: one blamed for a particular evil or difficulty

… witness the wolf, at once ecological hero and agricultural villain.

—Ben Goldfarb

4

: villein

5

: an uncouth person : boor

Synonyms of villain

• brute
• monster
• criminal
• devil
• savage
• offender
• scoundrel
• beast
• bandit
• assassin

Examples of villain in a Sentence

He plays the villain in most of his movies.

She describes her first husband as a villain who treated her terribly.

Don't try to make me the villain. It's your own fault that you're having these problems.

Recent Examples on the Web

Professional sports have always thrived on heroes, villains, rivalries and grievances. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

For some reason, the Russian villain has partnered up with Trask and is hunting down his old Team X pals. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

The image in question shows the Marvel villain posterizing Spider-Man in a packed arena. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

That said, real Strange may be corrupted by the Darkhold and Wanda could still be on her villain arc. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English vilain, vilein, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin villanus, from Latin villa

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Rhymes for villain

• millon
• amoxicillin
• carbenicillin
• ampicillin
• methicillin
• penicillin
• pyroxylin
• vanillin

Kids Definition

villain

noun

vil·​lain ˈvil-ən 

1

: villein

2

: an evil person : scoundrel

3

: a character in a story or play who opposes the hero