perp
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A perpetrator.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"We have the perp in custody," the policeman said.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “perp” mean?
A perpetrator.
Is “perp” formal or informal?
perp is generally slang.