Definition

A person who copies someone else's work, ideas, or words and claims them as their own.

Example

The teacher caught the student for being a plagiarist after he submitted an essay that was not his own.

Conversation

Did you hear about that student who got caught?

Yeah, they called him a plagiarist for copying someone else's work.

It's crazy how some people think they can get away with that.

Right? It's just not worth the risk when you can create your own ideas.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Plagiarist → It is formed from "plagiare" (meaning to seize or take) and the suffix "-ist" (meaning a person who). A plagiarist is a person who takes someone else's work or ideas and presents them as their own.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'takes' ('plagiare') the work of others and claims it as their own — that's what a plagiarist does.

Visually Confused Words