villainy

[ vil-uh-nee ]

/ ˈvɪl ə ni /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

villainage, villainess, villainize, villainous, villainously, villainy, villanella, villanelle, villanovan, villard, villard, henry

Origin of villainy

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for villainy

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
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
I suspected some villainy, however, and my first idea was that they had set the barque on fire.
A Pirate of the Caribbees|Harry Collingwood

But Cecilia could not endure to see him, after a discovery of such hypocrisy and villainy.
Cecilia, Volume 3 (of 3)|Frances (Fanny) Burney (Madame d'Arblay)
In the body text, variable spellings such as villany : villainy and intire : entire are unchanged.
Critical Remarks on Sir Charles Grandison, Clarissa, and Pamela (1754)|Anonymous
Reprobate as he was himself, this work of villainy was new to him and seemed to be very terrible.
The Way We Live Now|Anthony Trollope
And now the conduct which honor would approve turned upon them to bring the consequences of treason and villainy.
Talents, Incorporated|William Fitzgerald Jenkins

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

noun, plural vil·lain·ies.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of villainy

Examples from the Web for villainy

British Dictionary definitions for villainy

villainy

noun plural -lainies