perp
noun
the perpetrator of a crime.
perp
1 American
[purp]
/ pɜrp /
noun
Police Slang.
perp.
2
American
abbreviation
perp
British
/ pɜːp /
noun
Etymology
Origin of perp
C20: from perpetrate
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.
See Examples For:
The potential for extreme gains—and losses—has made crypto perp trading even more popular than spot trading worldwide.
From Barron's ● May 29, 2026
And don’t forget all those crypto perpetual futures or perp trades with up to 100x leverage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 15, 2026
During a perp walk, law enforcement publicly escort a person accused of a crime as they are transported outside a police station or courthouse, usually in view of media cameras.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2025
Oswald was killed two days later by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby during a perp walk broadcast on live television.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 18, 2025
Anybody who has seen two episodes of The Shield knows that if a perp isn’t identified in the first forty- eight hours, the likelihood of nailing him is cut in half.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
“The perp. Catching him would kill the story.”
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
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