noun
victim
VIHK-tihm
noun
1
A person who is harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, disease, or other misfortune.
"The charity supports victims of domestic abuse."
"Three people were named as victims of the fraud scheme."
2
A living creature that is sacrificed, especially in a religious ritual.
"In the ancient ceremony, a goat was offered as the sacrificial victim."
How to Use Victim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) harmed by a crime, accident, or misfortune — or a creature offered in sacrifice.
Common pairings
victim of crime
fall victim to
innocent victim
Word Forms
victimed past tense, victims plural, victims singular
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Etymology
From Latin victima, "sacrificial animal," via Middle French victime.