criminal
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈkrɪmɪnəl/
KK: /ˈkrɪmɪnəl/
adjective
Definition
Relating to or characteristic of someone who commits illegal acts or crimes.
Example
The criminal behavior of the suspect shocked the community.
Conversation
Did you hear about that criminal who escaped from prison last week?
Yeah, it's all over the news!
I can't believe someone would commit such a criminal act and think they could get away with it.
Right? It just shows how reckless some people can be.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
illegal
unlawful
illicit
Antonyms
lawful
innocent
virtuous
noun
Definition
A person who has done something illegal or has been found guilty of a crime.
Example
The police arrested the criminal after a long investigation.
Conversation
Did you hear about the criminal who escaped from jail yesterday?
No way! That's crazy!
Yeah, they say he's really dangerous.
Root Explanation
Criminal → It is formed from "crimen" (meaning crime or accusation) and the suffix "-al" (meaning pertaining to). The word "criminal" refers to something pertaining to crime or a person who commits a crime.
Memory Tip
Think of 'crime' ('crimen') and remember that 'criminal' means something related to crime.
Visually Confused Words
uncriminal
crinal
subcriminal
noncriminal
discriminal
regiminal
ceruminal
viminal