Origin: Latin suffix -al
Criminal has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
"The judge sentenced the criminal to five years in prison after he was found guilty of armed robbery."
A person who is guilty of a crime, notably breaking the law.
"The police arrested the criminal after they discovered he had broken into several homes last week."
In plain English: A criminal is someone who has broken the law and committed a crime.
"The criminal was caught stealing cars from the parking lot."
Usage: Use "criminal" as a noun to refer specifically to a person who has committed a crime or broken the law. Avoid using it as an adjective to describe the act itself, which should instead be called a crime or criminal activity.
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
"a criminal waste of talent"
"a deplorable act of violence"
"adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife"
Against the law; forbidden by law.
"The new safety regulations are criminal for companies to ignore, as they could lead to disastrous accidents."
In plain English: Criminal means something that breaks the law and is against society's rules.
"The criminal record shows that he has committed several offenses over the years."
Usage: Use "criminal" as an adjective to describe actions or things that violate the law, such as criminal behavior or a criminal offense. Avoid using it to modify people unless you specifically mean they have committed crimes, as this can be imprecise in casual conversation.
The word criminal entered English from the French via Middle English. It originally derived from the Latin crimen, meaning "crime."