gangster

gangster — noun

1. A person who takes part in the violent and illegal activities of a well-organize

1.nounB2
Definition

A person who takes part in the violent and illegal activities of a well-organized criminal group.

Example

Amani's uncle was a notorious gangster who controlled several city neighborhoods in the 1990s.

collocation: notorious gangster

The gangster ordered his men to deliver the money before sunrise.

Common collocations
  • notorious gangster
  • gangster movie
  • gangster film
  • gangster rap
  • gangster lifestyle
  • suspected gangster
Synonyms
  • mobster

    Specifically refers to a member of a Mafia-style crime family, not any organized criminal group.

  • thug

    Focuses more on violent behavior than group membership; less organized, more street-level.

  • racketeer

    Emphasizes involvement in illegal business schemes for profit, not necessarily violence.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

a gangster / the gangster / gangsters

Common Mistakes

That man who stole my wallet is a gangster.
That man who stole my wallet is a thief.
A gangster belongs to an organized criminal group; a lone thief is not a gangster.

Word family

  • gang
    nounB1
  • gangland
    nounC1
  • gang-related
    adjectiveB2
  • gangsterism
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe people involved in crime, but they differ in scope and connotation. Gangster (B2) is the broadest term, referring to any member of an organized violent criminal group. Mobster (C1) is narrower — it specifically suggests membership in a Mafia-style crime family with a hierarchical structure and a code of silence. Thug (B2) focuses on violent behavior rather than group membership; a thug might act alone or in a loose group, and the word emphasizes physical intimidation over organization. Hoodlum (C2) is older and more informal, often used for a young person who commits petty crime or vandalism in a group. For example, you would call Al Capone a gangster or a mobster, but not a thug; a person who attacks someone on the street for their wallet is a thug, not a gangster.

gangster ↗mobsterthughoodlum

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • gangster rap
  • gangster movie
  • gangster lifestyle

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Gangster was formed in English in the late 1800s from the word 'gang' (meaning a group of people, especially criminals) and the suffix '-ster' (meaning a person who does something). The word 'gang' itself comes from Old English 'gang' meaning a journey or a way, which later shifted to mean a group of people travelling or working together. By the late 19th century, 'gangster' specifically referred to a member of a criminal group, especially in the context of organized crime in American cities.