felon

[ fel-uhn ]

See synonyms for felon on Thesaurus.com

noun

Law. a person who has been convicted of a felony, such as grand theft, kidnapping, or murder.
Archaic. a wicked person.

adjective

Archaic. wicked; malicious; treacherous.

Origin of felon

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fel(o)un “wicked, wicked person, evildoer,” from Old French fel (nominative), felun (oblique) “wicked person, traitor,” from Medieval Latin fellon- , stem of fello “villain, evildoer”; further etymology uncertain

usage note For felon

Terms such as felon, convict, inmate, and offender can be dehumanizing to people in the criminal justice system. The stigma of these categories often follows people after their release from prison, and contributes to difficulty reintegrating into society. Because of this, it is often better to use language that centers the specific experiences of a person or group, rather than using a label: People who have been incarcerated may have problems accessing quality healthcare, rather than Felons may have problems accessing quality healthcare. Some individuals who have been imprisoned or convicted of a crime, however, might use these labels to describe themselves. It is always best to respect a person's self-designation when referring to them.

Words Nearby felon

Other definitions for felon (2 of 2)

felon²

[ fel-uhn ]

noun

an acute and painful inflammation of the deeper tissues of a finger or toe, usually near the nail: a form of whitlow.

Origin of felon

1375–1425; late Middle English felo(u)n<Medieval Latin fellōn- (stem of fellō) scrofulous tumor, of uncertain origin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use felon in a sentence

Activists have scrambled to help ex-felons pay those penalties and re-enfranchise as many of them as possible.
A crashed voter registration website is Floridians’ latest obstacle to the right to vote | Sara Morrison | October 9, 2020 | Vox
In Florida, the Gutting of a Landmark Law Leaves Few Felons Likely to VoteState officials don’t know how many felons are registered or eligible to vote.
Electionland 2020: Florida Felon Voting, Election Websites, DOJ Policies and More | by Rachel Glickhouse, ProPublica, and Joshua Eaton, Lauren Rosenthal and Thy Anh Vo for ProPublica | October 9, 2020 | ProPublica
The idea for the pledge came to him as he read coverage of Mike Bloomberg’s effort to pay the debts of former felons in Florida, whom the state had prevented from voting if they owed it money.
The Trailer: What went unsaid in Wednesday's vice-presidential debate | David Weigel | October 8, 2020 | Washington Post
She declined to give a current number of people flagged as felons.
In Florida, the Gutting of a Landmark Law Leaves Few Felons Likely to Vote | by Lawrence Mower and Langston Taylor, Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times | October 7, 2020 | ProPublica
He also hired a convicted felon to review and collect attorney fees of hundreds of poor defendants in Cumberland County.
Maine Hires Lawyers With Criminal Records to Defend Its Poorest Residents | by Samantha Hogan, The Maine Monitor, with data analysis by Agnel Philip | October 6, 2020 | ProPublica

The Washington Post added that the man was a convicted felon.
Why Secret Service Chief Julia Pierson Was Shown the Door | Tim Mak | October 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Morgan is a convicted felon and therefore barred from possessing firearms.
The Mystery of Donald Ray Morgan, the 44-Year-Old American Who Loved ISIS | Michael Daly | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Yet, despite his criminal record, countless women fawned over the seemingly sexy felon.
Meet the PR Guru for the ‘Hot Convict,’ the Octomom, and Every Other D-List Trainwreck | Erin Cunningham | July 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Meet the drug felon and Bravo TV star challenging Lindsey Graham for his Senate seat in November.
T-Rav: The Reality TV Star Running for Senate in South Carolina | Patricia Murphy | July 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX) is a grifter and a wingnut, but is he possibly a felon too?
Ethics Office Sees Evidence Republican Congressman Broke the Law | Ben Jacobs | June 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He added ‘that he had rather live as a felon or a rebel than adventure his undoing for the Queen.’
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3) | Richard Bagwell
Amongst the prisoners taken was Wolfe Tone; who soon afterwards in order to avoid a felon's death, ended his life by suicide.
Is Ulster Right? | Anonymous
"Ay, wench—in that sure prison which felon never breaks from," answered the Countess.
Peveril of the Peak | Sir Walter Scott
If you have evidence against Frank Lamotte, why do you occupy a felon's cell?
The Diamond Coterie | Lawrence L. Lynch
The condemned felon has as good a yard for air and exercise in Newgate, as the insolvent debtor in the Marshalsea Prison.
The Pickwick Papers | Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for felon (1 of 2)

felon¹

/ (ˈfɛlən) /

noun

criminal law (formerly) a person who has committed a felony
obsolete a wicked person

adjective

archaic, or poetic evil; cruel

Origin of felon

C13: from Old French: villain, from Medieval Latin fellō, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for felon (2 of 2)

felon²

/ (ˈfɛlən) /

noun

a purulent inflammation of the end joint of a finger, sometimes affecting the bone

Origin of felon

C12: from Medieval Latin fellō sore, perhaps from Latin fel poison

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse