bandit

American  

[ban-dit] / ˈbæn dɪt /

noun

PLURAL

bandits

PLURAL

banditti

1. a robber, especially a member of a gang or marauding band.

   Synonyms:

   desperado , brigand

2. an outlaw or highwayman.

   Synonyms:

   desperado , brigand

3. Informal.

   1. a person who takes unfair advantage of others, as a merchant who overcharges; swindler; cheat.

   2. a vendor, cab driver, etc., who operates a business or works without a required license or permit, and without observing the usual rules or practices.

4. Military Informal.  an enemy aircraft, especially an attacking fighter.

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idioms

1. make out like a bandit,  to be extremely successful; profit greatly.

   The early investors in the company have made out like bandits.

bandit British  

/ ˈbændɪt /

noun

1. a robber, esp a member of an armed gang; brigand

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Other Word Forms

• banditry noun

Etymology

Origin of bandit

First recorded in 1585–95; earlier bandetto, plural banditti, from Italian banditi “outlaws,” plural of bandito “proscribed,” past participle of bandire “banish, exile, announce publicly,” from Gothic bandwjan “to make a sign, indicate” ( band ¹ ) with verb suffix -ire, from Latin -īre

Example Sentences

The report suggested that deals struck by neighbouring states in the hopes of getting the bandits to agree to stop their activities may be partly responsible for an uptick in abductions in November.

From Barron's

"Our village is remote, we are close to the bandits," explained Aliyu, whose son is still among the missing.

From BBC

These abductions have been claimed by bandits rather than jihadists.

From Barron's

The bandits are local armed groups, often on motorbikes, with no central organisation, who operate mainly in the north-west.

From BBC

These criminal gangs, known locally as "bandits", are largely composed of people from the Fulani ethnic group, who traditionally make their living by raising animals.

From BBC

Related Words

• criminal
• gangster
• hooligan
• marauder
• mobster
• outlaw
• pirate
• raider
• robber