villain

Meaning

Noun

1. A vile, wicked person.
2. A vile, wicked person.
3. A low-born, abject person.
4. In fiction, a character who has the role of being bad, especially antagonizing the hero; an antagonist who is also evil or malevolent.
5. Any opponent player, especially a hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: hero (“the current player”).
6. Archaic form of villein (“feudal tenant, peasant, serf”).

Verb

To debase; to degrade.

Concepts

villain

scoundrel

rogue

rascal

evildoer

ruffian

wicked person

knave

crook

baddie

bastard

blackguard

criminal

malefactor

miscreant

wretch

bad guy

rat

stinker

scamp

bad character

bad person

rotter

wrongdoer

heel

cheat

carl

villein

sinner

reprobate

bad deed

knavery

mischievous

roguery

villainy

dishonest person

beggar

bad man

villain’s part

suspicious fellow

thief

assassin

outlaw

bandit

brigand

evil man

gangster

horrible person

horrid person

swine

negative character

negative role

heavy

backguard

viper

impostor

git

recreant

scum

black-guard

enemy

rebel

rival

warrior

cad

vile person

wanton

despicable person

murderer

slayer

hypocrite

rowdy

fox

yobbo

strong-armer

toad

bully

hood

looter

louse

plug-ugly

yobo

tormentor

con man

culprit

fiend

malfeasant

old fox

hooligan

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈvɪl.ən/

Etymology

Probably from Middle English vilein, from Old French vilein (modern French vilain), in turn from Late Latin villanus, meaning serf or peasant, someone who is bound to the soil of a Latin villa, which is to say, worked on the equivalent of a plantation in late Antiquity, in Italy or Gaul. Doublet of villein.