What does venal mean?
Venal is a formal and strongly derogatory adjective describing someone who can be bought, especially through bribery or other corrupt influence. It is most often applied to politicians, public officials, judges, and institutions whose duties ought to be impartial. A venal person has integrity that can be purchased, while venal practices involve corruption for personal gain. The word can also describe something available for sale, a sense rooted in its Latin history but much less common in modern usage. Because it carries a serious accusation of moral or political corruption, venal is generally reserved for formal commentary and forceful criticism. It is related in meaning to corruptible and bribable but is more specifically associated with betrayal of a public trust. Knowing the word is useful in discussing corruption, ethics, and the language of political accusation.
adjectiveOpen to bribery or corruption, especially in a public or professional capacity. In a less common sense, available for sale or purchase.
- Open to bribery, corruption, or dishonest influence for personal gain.
- Available for sale, purchase, or exchange for payment.
"The venal official accepted a bribe in exchange for granting the contract."
"Critics dismissed the commission as venal because its members had financial ties to the bidders."
"The politician's venal conduct destroyed what remained of the public's trust."
Venal began as a market label—Latin venalis meant "for sale"—before becoming a blunt accusation of corruption.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does venal come from?
English venal comes from Latin venalis, meaning "for sale" or "exposed to sale," from venum, "sale," a word related to vendere, "to sell." It entered English in the early 17th century, initially in the sense of being purchasable or associated with sale. Its dominant modern meaning developed from the idea of a person's loyalty or services being open to purchase through bribery. Words such as vendor, vendible, and vending belong to the same broader commercial etymological family.
Related word forms
How venal is actually used
Chiefly formal and strongly condemnatory. It is especially common in political, journalistic, and legal contexts and normally describes a person, institution, or practice. The sense meaning "available for purchase" is comparatively uncommon today.
Easily confused with venal
Venal means open to bribery or corruption, whereas venial means minor and pardonable.