Villain - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A villain is a character in a story or real life who opposes the hero, often causing harm or conflict. Villains are typically evil, selfish, or morally corrupt.
Definition:
A character in a story or play who opposes the hero, often morally bad or evil.
Synonyms:
antagonist, rogue, scoundrel, criminal
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
hero, protagonist
Common Collocations:
comic book villain, main villain, villainous plot, notorious villain
Derivatives:
villainous, villainy
Usage Tips:
Use "villain" for fictional antagonists or real-life wrongdoers; avoid overuse for minor conflicts.
Common Phrases:
the villain of the piece, mustache-twirling villain, love-to-hate villain
Etymology:
From Old French "vilain," meaning peasant or low-born person; later associated with wickedness.
Examples:
- 1. The villain plotted to take over the city.
- 2. She played the villain in the movie brilliantly.
- 3. Every fairy tale needs a good hero and a bad villain.
- 4. The detective finally caught the elusive villain.