villainous

[ vil-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. having a cruel, wicked, malicious nature or character.
2. of, relating to, or befitting a villain:

   villainous treachery.

3. outrageously base, wicked, or vile:

   a villainous attack on his character.

4. very objectionable or unpleasant; bad; wretched:

   a villainous storm.

villainous

/ ˈvɪlənəs /

adjective

1. of, like, or appropriate to a villain
2. very bad or disagreeable

   a villainous climate

Derived Forms

• ˈvillainously, adverb
• ˈvillainousness, noun

Other Words From

• villain·ous·ly adverb
• villain·ous·ness noun
• non·villain·ous adjective
• non·villain·ous·ly adverb
• non·villain·ous·ness noun
• un·villain·ous adjective
• un·villain·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of villainous¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; villain, -ous

Example Sentences

You invested these weather sequences with six shades of tornado gray that enhance each storm’s villainous vibe.

From Los Angeles Times

The book's author has been murdered by a villainous president; what more could the marketing department ask for?

From BBC

While some audiences might see various characters as flawed or villainous – particularly Renate Reinsve’s Ingrid, the pretty neighbor/director Edward and Oswald befriend – he didn’t want to project a concept of heroes and villains.

From Salon

At one point in the game I was receiving multiple texts in rapid succession, my location compromised and a potentially villainous agency about to pounce on me.

From Los Angeles Times

“I was looking for someone who didn’t prioritize villainous characteristics, that the ‘madness’ was a little bit back and the vulnerability came through,” Gadd says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nefarious
• shady
• vile
• wicked