adj
nefarious
nih-FEH-uh-ree-uhs
adj
1
Wicked or criminal, especially in a way that is notorious or widely condemned.
"The gang was finally caught after years of nefarious activity."
"He had a nefarious reputation long before the scandal broke."
How to Use Nefarious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeeply wicked or criminal — usually said of plans, plots, or deeds rather than everyday bad behaviour.
When to use it
A formal, slightly dramatic word — often used almost tongue-in-cheek about villains and schemes.
Common pairings
nefarious plot
nefarious activities
nefarious scheme
nefarious purposes
Word Forms
more nefarious comparative, most nefarious superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “nefarious”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gang was finally caught after years of _____ activity.
Etymology
From Latin nefarius, "wicked" — built from ne- ("not") and fas ("what is right in the eyes of the gods").