ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Culprit

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈkʌlpɹɪt/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Culprit is a noun meaning The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.

Meaning

The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.

More Meanings

  1. (UK, law) A prisoner accused but not yet tried.

Example Sentences

I have tightened the loose bolt that was the culprit; it should work now.
But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits.
Railway police are making a full investigation into the matter, and the headmasters of schools have been approached, but it is difficult in such cases to discover the culprits, unless they are caught red-handed.
Another sits beneath the purple canopy—a lady, but alone. The diadem is on her cold and haughty brow; there is no pity in her stern aspect, and the smile on her lip bodes death. Before her stands the lovely culprit, whose fatal beauty, and still more fatal love, are about to be dearly requited.

Word Forms

Synonyms for culprit

Depending on context, synonyms include perpetrator.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include perpetrator, guilty, scapegoating, wrongdoer, guilt, offender.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.