Definition

A person who is responsible for a crime or wrongdoing.

Example

The police arrested the culprit after a long investigation.

Conversation

Did you hear about the theft at the store yesterday?

Yeah, I heard they finally found the culprit.

I wonder what made them do it in the first place.

Sometimes it's hard to know the reasons behind someone's actions.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Culprit → The word originates from the Old French 'culprit', which means 'guilty' or 'one who is at fault'. It is derived from 'culpable' (meaning blameworthy) and the suffix '-it' (indicating a person). Thus, a culprit is a person who is guilty or at fault for a crime or wrongdoing.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is 'guilty' ('culpable') — that's why we call them a culprit.

Visually Confused Words