thug
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A person who is a member of a gang or criminal organization.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A violent, aggressive, or truculent person.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
A criminal that extorts people.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “thug” mean?
A person who is a member of a gang or criminal organization.
Is “thug” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.