Words / A2

noun · A2

Crime

KRYM/kraɪm/

Crime is illegal activity: a crime, fight crime, crime rates, a crime scene. Uncountable crime is crime in general; a crime is one event. Criminal is the person or the adjective. Sin is religious; a mistake is not always a crime. Do not say “do a crime” — say commit a crime.

Meaning

An illegal activity, or illegal activities in general.

Examples

  • “The police are investigating the crime.”
  • “Cycling without lights is not a serious crime, but it is unsafe.”
  • “The town has less crime than it did ten years ago.”

Good to know

commit a crime / a crime scene. General: crime (uncountable). Person: criminal.

New