criminal criminal /ˈkrɪmənəl/

adjective

1. () Guilty of crime or serious offense  ( criminal )
   guilty of crime or serious offense
    Criminal in the sight of God and man
   criminal in the sight of God and man
   
2. () Bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure  ( condemnable , deplorable , vicious , criminal , reprehensible )
   bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
    A criminal waste of talent
   a criminal waste of talent
    A deplorable act of violence
   a deplorable act of violence
    Adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife
   adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife
   
3. Involving, being or having the nature of a crime  ( criminal , felonious )
   involving, being or having the nature of a crime
    A criminal offense
   a criminal offense
    Criminal abuse
   criminal abuse
    Felonious intent
   felonious intent
   

noun

1. () Someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime  ( malefactor , crim [Informal, British] , felon , criminal , crook [Informal] , outlaw )
   someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
    The police arrested the criminal and took him into custody
   The police arrested the criminal and took him into custody