felony

Meaning

A serious criminal offense, which, under United States federal law, is punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or by the death penalty in the most serious offenses.

Synonyms

crime

offence

serious crime

offense

sin

illegal act

villainy

wrongdoing

offense offence

enormity

criminal offence

malefaction

misbehavior

misdeed

transgression

criminal offence

criminal offense

major offence

Translations

crime

Verbrechen

crimen

delitto

κακούργημα

έγκλημα

crimine

crime

félonie

delito

crim

délit

Schwerverbrechen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈfɛ.lə.ni/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: felony

In summary

From Middle English felony, felonie, from Old French felonie (“evil, immoral deed”), from felon (“evildoer”). Ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. More at felon. By surface analysis, felon + -y.