noun

malice

MA-lihs

noun

The intention to harm someone or do something wrong or illegal.

"There was no malice behind the comment — it was simply a poor choice of words."

"The court had to prove malice in order to convict him of the more serious charge."

How to Use Malice

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA deliberate wish or intent to cause harm to someone.

Memory tip

The common phrase "with malice" or "malice aforethought" means the harm was intended, not accidental.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

malicious →

Common pairings

malice aforethought bear malice without malice malice toward none

maliced past tense, malices plural, malices singular

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There was no _____ behind the comment — it was simply a poor choice of words.

From Old French malice, from Latin malitia, "badness or ill will," itself from malus, "bad."

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