public enemy

noun

1. a person or thing considered a danger or menace to the public, especially a wanted criminal widely sought by the F.B.I. and local police forces.
2. a nation or government with which one's own is at war.

public enemy

noun

1. a notorious person, such as a criminal, who is regarded as a menace to the public

Word History and Origins

Origin of public enemy¹

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

But a creative spark was lighted when Ice-T went on tour with Public Enemy.

From Los Angeles Times

In the late 1970s the Pistols, as the figureheads of the punk movement, were seen by many as public enemy number one, with their assaults on the music industry, the monarchy - and pretty much everything else.

From BBC

In the wake of Red Lobster filing for bankruptcy, Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav shared that he visited a restaurant location and ordered everything on the menu in an attempt to save the chain’s business.

From Salon

Prosecutors alleged that Wedding — who was known by many aliases, including “El Jefe” and “Public Enemy” — ran the drug trafficking organization from 2011 to 2024 along with his second-in-command Andrew Clark.

From Los Angeles Times

In June, the Public Enemy rapper shared on X that he had visited a Red Lobster location and ordered everything on the menu.

From Salon