public enemy

American  

noun

1. a person or thing considered a danger or menace to the public, especially a wanted criminal widely sought by the F.B.I. and local police forces.

2. a nation or government with which one's own is at war.

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public enemy British  

noun

1. a notorious person, such as a criminal, who is regarded as a menace to the public

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Etymology

Origin of public enemy

First recorded in 1750–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public enemy

To the religious authorities in England in the early 16th century, an obdurate Oxford scholar became a public enemy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026

He wants to leave everything to me, but not tell his children, which would make me public enemy No. 1.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 16, 2026

Since the “Reputation” era, Swift has made martyrdom into a billion-dollar industry, a smart move further aided by her public enemy, Scooter Braun, purchasing her master recordings in 2019.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2025

Two men chopped down the world famous Sycamore Gap tree as a "bit of a laugh" and then feared becoming public enemy number one, prosecutors have told jurors.

From BBC ● May 7, 2025

With the hostage crisis still fresh in the country's minds, we were public enemy number one.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi