VILLAIN

Meaning

A vile, wicked person.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Probably from Middle English vilein, from Old French vilein (modern French vilain), in turn from Late Latin vīllānus, meaning serf or peasant, someone who is bound to the soil of a Latin vīlla, which is to say, worked on the equivalent of a plantation in late Antiquity, in Italy or Gaul. Doublet of villein. Compare typologically pagan (see more).

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 13 recorded puzzles:

• 2026-07-19VAGILNT
• 2025-11-10AIPNLOV
• 2025-08-27LAVIDNY
• 2024-09-26ADVUNLI
• 2024-09-14AENJILV
• 2024-08-03VOANICL
• 2024-06-15IAOLVND
• 2024-05-16LATIGNV
• 2024-04-13NAPLIOV
• 2024-01-17AYDVLIN
• 2023-12-12NVALIBE
• 2023-06-25AYEVLIN

+1 earlier appearances in the archive.