gangster
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of gangster
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How does gangster compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A gangster is a member of a criminal gang. Gangsters are sometimes called mobsters. A gang is a criminal organization, and a member of such a group is a gangster. Gangsters work together to commit robberies and break the law in other ways. Many famous movies, such as The Godfather, are about gangsters. This word often refers specifically to members of criminal gangs of the 1920s and 30s, when organized crime frequently involved the smuggling of alcohol.
Vocabulary lists containing gangster
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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.
"It's definitely not something I'm going to hide behind; we did make mistakes," said Det Supt Stephen Jennings of Essex Police, speaking to the BBC's Gangster podcast series in 2022.
From BBC • Jun. 22, 2025
He commuted the federal life sentence of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover.
From Salon • May 28, 2025
The show includes 20 new paintings and graffiti’d works on paper, as well as an updated, hand-painted mini-sculpture of his signature cat character, Bronson, and one of his vintage custom art cars, “The Gangster Squad.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2023
The person went by the handle OG, slang for Original Gangster, or an old school traditionalist.
From Reuters • Apr. 13, 2023
Because Frank hailed from Chicago, the men called him Gangster.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
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.
