heinous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heinous
1325–75; Middle English heynous < Middle French haineus, equivalent to haine hatred (derivative of haïr to hate < Germanic ) + -eus -ous
Explanation
A heinous crime is very evil or wicked. Of course, some people only use the term as an exaggeration, claiming that their parents' requirement that they write thank you notes after their birthdays is a heinous form of torture. Heinous descends from Middle English, from Old French haineus, from haine "hatred," from hair "to hate." So when you want to use the word heinous in all seriousness, think of acts that are considered hateful (or outrageous, and shocking). Think: treason, torture, the clubbing of baby seals. Heinous is pronounced HĀ-nəs.
Vocabulary lists containing heinous
Brave New World
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The Other Wes Moore
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "H"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Sisters of the Midnight Sun” addresses the ethical dilemmas involved in criminal defense when the crimes are particularly heinous.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who wrote the majority opinion, noted that ATS cases "frequently involve heinous and inhumane acts."
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
No doubt, the show had made mistakes and errors of judgment over time, while some of its leaders had faced credible accusations of heinous misdeeds and staff mistreatment.
From Slate ● Jun. 5, 2026
Sir Keir said the girls has "shown extraordinary bravery and strength in heinous circumstances".
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
“See? Alfred T. Slipper becomes a righteous pillar of light so painfully bright that the most heinous villain trembles before him and confesses!”
From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
