The meaning of CRIMINAL is relating to, involving, or being a crime. How to use criminal in a sentence.

A criminal is someone who breaks the law. If you're a murderer, thief, or tax cheat, you're a criminal.

CRIMINAL meaning: 1. someone who commits a crime: 2. relating to crime: 3. very bad or morally wrong: . Learn more.

When certain acts or people are involved in or related to a crime, they are referred to as criminal. For example: “criminal conspiracy,” “criminal taking,” a “criminal gang.”

If you describe an action as criminal, you think it is very wrong or a serious mistake.

By criminal law is understood that system of laws which provides for the mode of trial of persons charged with criminal offences, defines crimes, and provides for their punishments.

CRIMINAL definition: of the nature of or involving crime. See examples of criminal used in a sentence.

Definition of criminal noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

CRIMINAL meaning: 1 : involving illegal activity relating to crime; 2 : relating to laws that describe crimes rather than to laws about a person's rights

Dec 2, 2025 · Crime is the intentional commission of an act usually deemed socially harmful or dangerous and specifically defined, prohibited, and punishable under criminal law.