culprit — ozdic

Collocations

4

1

(noun.)

ADJ

big, chief, main, major, prime, real, worst

Lack of exercise turned out to be the main culprit behind his weight gain over the years.

likely, obvious

VERB + CULPRIT

hunt

Detectives are still hunting the culprit responsible for the store robbery last month.

apprehend, catch, identify, find, track down

Definitions

noun

1

The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.

I have tightened the loose bolt that was the culprit; it should work now.

Another sits beneath the purple canopy—a lady, but alone. The diadem is on her cold and haughty brow; there is no pity in her stern aspect, and the smile on her lip bodes death. Before her stands the lovely culprit, whose fatal beauty, and still more fatal love, are about to be dearly requited.

2

A prisoner accused but not yet tried.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

perpetrator

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

6

01

I have tightened the loose bolt that was the culprit; it should work now.

Wiktionary

02

Another sits beneath the purple canopy—a lady, but alone. The diadem is on her cold and haughty brow; there is no pity in her stern aspect, and the smile on her lip bodes death. Before her stands the

Wiktionary

03

But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits.

Wiktionary

04

As I read through the letters, I realized that the Pope was the true culprit.

Tatoeba · #246527

05

None of them would admit to being the culprit.

Tatoeba · #276685

06

The culprit is caught like a rat in a trap.

Tatoeba · #282805

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, culprit is marked as UK. Watch for register when choosing this word.