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crime

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noun American English pronunciation: crime /kraɪm/ 
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singularcrime
pluralcrimes
Other entries for this word
  1. 1
    [countable] an illegal activity or action
    commit a crime (=do something illegal):

    She was unaware that she had committed a crime.

    the scene of a crime (=where it happened):

    There were no apparent clues at the scene of the crime.

    solve a crime (=find out who did it):

    It was a crime that would take police years to solve.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of crime
    1. a.
      [uncountable] illegal activities in general
      fight/combat crime:

      new laws to help us combat crime effectively

      crime rate (=the number of crimes that people commit):

      The crime rate in the city has risen sharply.

      rising crime (=crime that is increasing):

      Rising crime is a key election issue.

      juvenile crime (=crime committed by young people):

      an increase in juvenile crime

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of crime
      See also  organized crime
  2. 2
    [singular] something that is morally wrong or a mistake
    be a crime to do something:

    It would be a crime to waste all that food.

    Her only crime was to be in love with the wrong man.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of crime

This is the American English definition of crime. View British English definition of crime.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for crime.

 

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