Join Us On

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Medical

Scrabble^®

Spanish Central

Browse Dictionary Browse Thesaurus

Get our free apps!iPhone•iPad•Android

Dictionary

villainy

noun vil·lainy \-lə-nē\

: evil behavior or actions

plural vil·lain·ies

Full Definition of VILLAINY

: villainous conduct; also : a villainous act

: the quality or state of being villainous : depravity

See villainy defined for English-language learners

See villainy defined for kids

First Known Use of VILLAINY

13th century

Related to VILLAINY

Synonyms: bad, evildoing, ill, immorality, iniquity, sin, evil, wrong

Antonyms: good, morality, right, virtue

VILLAINY Defined for Kids

villainy

noun vil·lainy \ˈvi-lə-nē\

plural vil·lain·ies

Definition of VILLAINY for Kids

: bad or evil behavior or actions

Learn More About VILLAINY

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "villainy"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "villainy"

Nglish: Translation of "villainy" for Spanish speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: villanPrevious Word in the Dictionary: villainousAll Words Near: villainy

Seen & Heard

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

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More

Join Us

Merriam-Webster
on Facebook

Merriam-Webster
on Twitter

Bookstore: Digital and Print

Merriam-Webster references for Mobile, Kindle, print, and more.

See All

Other Merriam-Webster Dictionaries