Middle English vilain, vilein, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin villanus, from Latin villa

VILLAIN definition: 1. a bad person who harms other people or breaks the law: 2. a criminal: 3. a character in a…. Learn more.

The landed aristocracy of mediaeval Europe used politically and linguistically the Middle English descendant of villanus meaning "villager" (styled as vilain or vilein) with the meaning "a person …

Dec 11, 2025 · From Old French vilain, from Late Latin vīllānus (“farm worker”), from Latin vīlla.

Define villain. villain synonyms, villain pronunciation, villain translation, English dictionary definition of villain. n. 1. A wicked or evil person; a scoundrel. 2. A dramatic or fictional …

Definition of villain noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

villain in American English (ˈvɪlən ) noun Origin: ME vilein < OFr vilain < VL villanus, a farm servant < L villa, a farm: see villa