villain

[ˈvɪlən]

villain Definition

• 1. a character in a story or film who is evil and does bad things
• 2. a person who is responsible for causing trouble, harm, or damage

Using villain: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "villain" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The villain of the movie was a ruthless businessman who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

• Example

  He was accused of being the villain behind the company's financial troubles.

• Example

  The novel's villain was a cunning and manipulative woman who plotted to destroy the protagonist's life.

villain Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for villain

• scoundrel
• rogue
• rascal
• miscreant
• malefactor

Antonyms for villain

• hero
• protagonist

Idioms Using villain

• play the villain

  to act in a way that makes people think you are the bad guy

  Example

  He enjoys playing the villain in movies and TV shows.

• no rest for the wicked

  used to say that someone who does bad things or has a guilty conscience will not be able to relax or enjoy themselves

  Example

  I have to finish this report tonight - no rest for the wicked, I guess.

• give the devil his due

  to acknowledge someone's good qualities even if you don't like them

  Example

  I don't like him, but I have to give the devil his due - he's a talented musician.

Phrases with villain

• arch-villain

  the main villain in a story or series of stories

  Example

  Batman's arch-villain is the Joker.

• villain of the piece

  the person or thing that is causing all the problems in a particular situation

  Example

  The villain of the piece turned out to be the CEO, who had been embezzling funds from the company.

• villainous circle

  a situation where one bad thing leads to another, creating a cycle of negative events

  Example

  The country was caught in a villainous circle of poverty and corruption.

Origins of villain

from Old French 'vilain', meaning 'peasant, farmhand'

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Summary: villain in Brief

A 'villain' [ˈvɪlən] is an evil character in a story or film, or a person who causes harm or trouble. It can refer to a main antagonist, as in 'Batman's arch-villain is the Joker,' or to a person causing problems, as in 'He was accused of being the villain behind the company's financial troubles.' 'Villain' also appears in idioms like 'play the villain,' meaning to act like the bad guy, and 'no rest for the wicked,' implying that bad people cannot relax.