Meaning & use
a misdemeanor
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablelegallawAmerican
a crime that is less serious than a felony, usually punished by a fine or a short jail sentence
Grammar: Countable: use 'a misdemeanor' or 'misdemeanors'.
Patterns
- commit a misdemeanor
- be charged with a misdemeanor
- a misdemeanor charge
He was charged with a misdemeanor after the fight.
In many states, shoplifting small items is a misdemeanor.
She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and paid a fine.
Word forms
| plural | misdemeanors |
|---|
Common combinations
- commit a misdemeanor
- He committed a misdemeanor and had to appear in court.
- be charged with a misdemeanor
- She was charged with a misdemeanor for driving without a license.
- misdemeanor charge
- The misdemeanor charge was later dropped.
- misdemeanor offense
- A misdemeanor offense often results in a fine.
Synonyms and how they differ
- offense
- A general word for a crime; 'misdemeanor' is a specific legal category in the US.
- infraction
- Usually a minor breaking of a rule, not a crime; 'misdemeanor' is more serious.
Opposites
Word family
- misdemeanor noun
- The crime itself.
Commonly confused: a misdemeanor or felony?
a misdemeanor vs felony
A felony is a more serious crime, often punished by more than a year in prison.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'misdemeanor' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A misdemeanor is a less serious crime, often punished by a fine or short jail time, so receiving one for parking too long fits. The first option describes a felony, the third is not a crime, and the fourth is false.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a misdemeanor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.