Definitions
- Referring to a person who has been convicted of a serious crime, such as murder, rape, or robbery. - Talking about a criminal who has committed a felony offense. - Describing a person who has been found guilty of a crime and sentenced to imprisonment for more than one year.
- Referring to a person who has committed a crime, regardless of the severity. - Talking about someone who has been found guilty of breaking the law. - Describing an individual who engages in illegal activities or behavior.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words refer to individuals who have broken the law.
- 2Both words are used to describe people who have been found guilty of committing a crime.
- 3Both words can be used to describe the severity of a crime committed by an individual.
What is the difference?
- 1Severity: Felon specifically refers to someone who has committed a serious crime, while criminal can refer to any type of lawbreaker.
- 2Legal status: Felon is a legal term used in the United States to describe someone who has been convicted of a felony offense, while criminal is a broader term that can be used in any legal system.
- 3Connotation: Felon has a more negative connotation than criminal, as it is associated with more severe crimes.
- 4Usage: Felon is less commonly used in everyday language than criminal.
- 5Punishment: Felon is often associated with longer prison sentences and more severe punishments than criminal offenses.
Remember this!
Felon and criminal are both words used to describe individuals who have broken the law. However, felon specifically refers to someone who has committed a serious crime, while criminal can refer to any type of lawbreaker. Additionally, felon has a more negative connotation and is less commonly used in everyday language than criminal.