What does misdemeanour mean?
A misdemeanour is an offence or act of wrongdoing that is relatively minor, especially when it is classified in law as less serious than a felony. In legal contexts, the word identifies an offence that can carry punishment but is not among the most serious criminal categories, though legal classifications differ between jurisdictions. In broader usage, a misdemeanour can mean any minor breach of conduct, rules, or expectations, such as an administrative mistake or an inappropriate but not catastrophic piece of misconduct. The word has a formal, often slightly old-fashioned tone and is more common in British English, while American English usually spells it misdemeanor. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing lesser wrongdoing from both harmless accidents and severe crimes. It can therefore appear in legal reporting, institutional discipline, editorial commentary, and figurative descriptions of unethical or improper behaviour.
nounA minor offence, especially one classified as a crime but less serious than a felony. In ordinary use, it can also refer more broadly to minor wrongdoing or misconduct.
- A minor criminal offence, especially one classified as less serious than a felony.
- Minor wrongdoing, misconduct, or a breach of rules that is not necessarily treated as a serious crime.
"The offence was treated as a misdemeanour rather than a serious criminal matter."
"He was charged with a misdemeanour for failing to appear in court."
"The committee described the manager's behaviour as a corporate misdemeanour."
The standard British English plural is misdemeanours; American English generally uses misdemeanors.
"Several misdemeanours were listed in the court report."
Misdemeanour is the legal label for the 'lesser' crime, and its Atlantic spelling switch adds a small twist: Americans write misdemeanor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of misdemeanour
The word entered English from Anglo-French misdemenier, a formation combining the prefix mis- with the root associated with demeanour and demean. Its original sense was connected with behaving badly or improperly. The related forms demeanour and demean ultimately belong to the same etymological family, while misdemeanour later became established as a legal term for a lesser criminal offence.
Related word forms
How misdemeanour is actually used
The word has a formal or legal tone, especially in its main criminal-law sense. British English generally uses misdemeanour, while American English normally uses misdemeanor; in non-legal writing, it may sound deliberately formal or old-fashioned.
Easily confused with misdemeanour
Misdemeanor is the American spelling of the British word misdemeanour; both have the same meaning.
A misdemeanour is a lesser offence, whereas a felony is a serious criminal offence.