villainy

[ vil-uh-nee ]

/ ˈvɪl ə ni /

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See synonyms for villainy on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural vil·lain·ies.

the actions or conduct of a villain; outrageous wickedness.

a villainous act or deed.

Obsolete. villeinage.

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Origin of villainy

1175–1225; Middle English vile(i)nie, vilainie<Old French. See villain, -y³

Words nearby villainy

villain, villainage, villainess, villainize, villainous, villainy, Villa-Lobos, villanella, villanelle, Villanovan, Villa, Pancho

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

How to use villainy in a sentence

Satisfaction does not insist on setting up clear categories of heroism and villainy, good, and evil.
Is ‘Satisfaction’ a Love Story That’s Too Real About Sex and Marriage?|David Masciotra|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And anyone, real or made up, who uses the phrase “low villainy” in a sentence—that man is my hero.
Can Carl Hiaasen Save Florida?|Malcolm Jones|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The picture he paints, though, is one more of failed good intentions then of imperialistic villainy.
This Week’s Hot Reads: December 16, 2013|Nicholas Mancusi|December 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Its portrayal of Soviet villainy was deemed too much for domestic consumption.
The Kremlin's Amazing PR Turnaround|Michael Idov|June 8, 2010|DAILY BEAST

How much more diverting to focus on the villainy of a potty-mouthed Illinois pol.
Six Reasons to Thank Blago|Christopher Buckley|December 12, 2008|DAILY BEAST
The fact that no thorough scoundrel ever yet confined himself to one or two pieces of villainy.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
If underneath his villainy there are concealed the instincts of a gentleman, let him have the chance of dying like one.
The Light That Lures|Percy Brebner
And we, the descendants of the conquerors; we knights tolerate such villainy!
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
He has been described erroneously as a master of complicated villainy.
American Sketches|Charles Whibley
That a due rigour and restraint be laid upon the second, that villainy and knavery might not be encouraged by a law.
An Essay upon Projects|Daniel Defoe

British Dictionary definitions for villainy

villainy

/ (ˈvɪlənɪ) /

noun plural -lainies

conduct befitting a villain; vicious behaviour or action

an evil, abhorrent, or criminal act or deed

the fact or condition of being villainous

English history a rare word for villeinage

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

villainy

Origin of villainy

Words nearby villainy

Words related to villainy

How to use villainy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for villainy