felonious

[ fuh-loh-nee-uhs ]

adjective

1. Law. pertaining to, of the nature of, or involving a felony:

   felonious homicide; felonious intent.

2. wicked; base; villainous.

felonious

/ fɪˈləʊnɪəs /

adjective

1. criminal law of, involving, or constituting a felony
2. obsolete.
   wicked; base

Derived Forms

• feˈloniously, adverb
• feˈloniousness, noun

Other Word Forms

• fe·loni·ous·ly adverb
• fe·loni·ous·ness noun
• nonfe·loni·ous adjective
• nonfe·loni·ous·ly adverb
• nonfe·loni·ous·ness noun
• unfe·loni·ous adjective
• unfe·loni·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of felonious¹

1375–1425; felony + -ous; replacing late Middle English felonous < Anglo-French, Old French

Example Sentences

If a felonious politician tells you that he will be a dictator, then he will behave like one if you elect him.

From Salon

Further, let’s imagine that party is so morally bankrupt as to place at its titular head a human being convicted of felonious crimes that include cheating, lying and worse.

From Salon

She’s been a potter, a poet and a felonious con artist.

From Los Angeles Times

Koch, taking on the role that won Bonnie Mulligan a Tony, is a felonious hoot.

From Los Angeles Times

Or, as famed First Amendment attorney Ted Boutrous tweeted this week, “The United States simply will not elect a felonious fascist president.”

From Salon