- criminal
- crim|i|nal1 [ `krımınl ] noun count *someone who has committed a crime:The system is designed to prevent criminals from reoffending.a convicted criminal (=one who has been judged guilty in a court of law): Convicted criminals should not profit from publicizing their crimes.a hardened criminal (=someone who has committed many crimes): Most of the offenders are not hardened criminals.criminalcrim|i|nal 2 [ `krımınl ] adjective ***1. ) usually before noun relating to illegal acts:The book examines the causes of criminal behavior.a criminal offense/act: It is a criminal offense to threaten someone with violence.a ) only before noun relating to parts of the legal system that deal with crime:Police are conducting a criminal investigation into his business affairs.the criminal justice systemcriminal charges (=official statements saying that someone is accused of committing a crime): You could face criminal charges.criminal proceedings (=the process of examining a crime in a court of law): There is not enough evidence to start criminal proceedings against him.b ) only before noun used about people who often commit crimes:the criminal element in society2. ) bad, wrong, or unfair in a way that makes you angry:It's criminal the way they treat their animals.That's a criminal waste of resources.
Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.