Fagin

American  

[fey-gin] / ˈfeɪ gɪn /

noun

1. (in Dickens'Oliver Twist ) a villainous old man who trains and uses young boys as thieves.

2. Also fagin. a person who teaches crime to others.

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Fagin Cultural  

1. A villain in the novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. The unscrupulous, miserly Fagin teaches Oliver Twist and other orphaned boys to pick pockets and steal for him.

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Example Sentences

“This does appear to be the new normal for western monarchs, and it’s very concerning,” said Dan Fagin, a professor of science journalism at New York University who is writing a book on monarch butterflies.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

It said Friday that Steven Fagin, the U.S. ambassador to Yemen, will serve as the civilian lead at the center.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

And it is just the latest time Fagin has taken a major concurrent position.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

I first heard about ICEBlock through various posts by former Rosenbergs front man David Fagin, who has been raising awareness on behalf of his onetime bandmate.

From Slate • May 16, 2025

Just like Fagin, and yet not like Fagin at all.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson