villain

noun vil·lain \ˈvi-lən\

: a character in a story, movie, etc., who does bad things

: a person who does bad things

: someone or something that is blamed for a particular problem or difficulty

Full Definition of VILLAIN

: villein

: an uncouth person : boor

: a deliberate scoundrel or criminal

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

: one blamed for a particular evil or difficulty <automation as the villain in job … displacement — M. H. Goldberg>

See villain defined for English-language learners

See villain defined for kids

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonyms: baddie (or baddy), beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch

VILLAIN Defined for Kids

noun vil·lain \ˈvi-lən\

: a wicked person

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

Next Word in the Dictionary: villainagePrevious Word in the Dictionary: villagismAll Words Near: villain

What made you want to look up villain? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).