culprit

cul-prit · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who is responsible for a crime or wrongdoing.

  2. 2.

    The cause of a problem or defect.

Forms

plural: culprits

Related words

Antonyms: innocent, victim
See also: criminal, offender, perpetrator
Synonyms: guilty party, offender, perpetrator, wrongdoer

Etymology

From Anglo-French "cul. prit," a legal formula from "culpable" (guilty) and "prit" (ready for trial), used in court proceedings.