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gangster

American  
[gang-ster] / ˈgæŋ stər /

noun

  1. a member of a gang of criminals, especially a racketeer in an organized crime syndicate.

    Synonyms:
    goon, hood, thug, crook, hoodlum, mobster
gangster British  
/ ˈɡæŋstə /

noun

  1. a member of an organized gang of criminals, esp one who resorts to violence

"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

Etymology

Origin of gangster

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; gang 1 + -ster

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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.

One of the greatest gangster films of all time was nearly marred by tragedy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

"Sinners," the tale of gangster twins returning home to a supernatural and segregated Deep South in the 1930s, has already made Academy Awards history with its whopping 16 nominations.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

There are amusing moments in murder mysteries and gangster sagas; sometimes one needs a break.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

"Never in your life label me a thug again. Never label me a wannabe gangster," he said.

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025

“He looks like a gangster to me,” Mrs. Levy said.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

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.