What does accomplice mean?
A person who helps another commit a crime or wrongdoing, typically by assisting before, during, or after the act.
- A person who knowingly helps another commit a crime or other wrongdoing.
"The police arrested the getaway driver as an accomplice to the robbery."
"Detectives suspected that an accomplice had helped the thief plan the heist."
"She was charged as an accomplice for driving her brother away from the scene of the burglary."
Standard plural; used identically in British and American English.
"Both of the smuggler's known accomplices were questioned by customs officers."
Accomplice entered English from French with a meaning closer to 'associate' — only later did the law narrow it down to mean 'partner in crime'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Easily confused with accomplice
Complicity is the abstract noun denoting involvement in wrongdoing, whereas an accomplice is the person who is involved.