Etymology Map
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Criminal

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person who has committed a crime

Where does the word "criminal" come from? It comes from Latin crimen, passing through Old French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
crimen
Latin · ancient
"charge, crime"
possibly from 'cernere', to decide
2
Stage 2 of 3
criminel
Old French · medieval
"criminal"
Old French 'criminel' (1000s) also meant despicable or wicked; Latin 'crimen' first meant an accusation or charge
3
Stage 3 of 3
criminal
English · 1400s
"relating to crime"
'criminal' as a noun dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Criminal’s story begins in Latin: crimen meant “charge, crime.” Possibly from 'cernere', to decide. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as criminel. Old French 'criminel' (1000s) also meant despicable or wicked; Latin 'crimen' first meant an accusation or charge. It reached English by 1400s as criminal. 'criminal' as a noun dates from the 1600s. Today, criminal means a person who has committed a crime.