villain

Meaning

Noun

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

Verb

To debase; to degrade .

Synonyms

scoundrel

rogue

rascal

evildoer

ruffian

wicked person

knave

crook

bastard

baddie

blackguard

wretch

miscreant

malefactor

bad guy

criminal

bad person

bad character

rat

🐀

sinner

reprobate

roguery

rotter

stinker

knavery

scamp

villainy

cheat

villein

mischievous

wrongdoer

heel

bad deed

dishonest person

carl

viper

wanton

warrior

yobbo

backguard

strong-armer

villain’s part

suspicious fellow

despicable person

vile person

plug-ugly

evil man

horrible person

horrid person

negative character

Translations

Schurke

🦹‍♂️

Schuft

Bösewicht

🦹‍♂️

gredin

furfante

canalla

canaille

vilain

🦹‍♂️

scellerato

canaglia

Halunke

scélérat

🦹‍♂️

vilão

mascalzone

méchant

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈvɪl.ən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: vilein

Cognate with French: vilain

In summary

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