English Explanatory Dictionary

villainy

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Evil or wicked character or behaviour.
  2. A wicked or treacherous act.
  3. Ill-treatment, indignity, degrading or shameful treatment of someone.
  4. Disgrace, ignominy.
  5. The state of being a villein or serf, and by extension servitude or low estate in life.
  6. Boorishness, rudeness, bad cultivation or manners.
adj
  1. Characteristic of a villain.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-villainy.wav

Word forms

villainy villainies more villainy most villainy

Etymology

From Middle English vileinie, vileynye, from Anglo-Norman vilenie, from Old French vilanie.

Synonyms

atrociousness awfulness badness corruption corruptness criminality dacoity depravity enormity evil evilness immorality knavery nefariousness rascality savagery scoundrelry scumminess turpitude vileness villainhood villainousness villainry villainy wickedness villainly villainous

Antonyms

dogoodery good goodness heroism virtue virtuousness
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