Search Dictionary
Definition of criminologist

criminologist

/ˌkrɪm.əˈnɑː.lə.dʒɪst/
crim · i · nol · o · gist
Adverb:criminologically
•
Plural:criminologists
•
Adjective:criminological
JUMP TO:

criminologist Lexical Profile

criminologist Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A specialist or social scientist who studies the nature, causes, patterns, social impact, and prevention of crime and criminal behavior.

Example

"The criminologist presented a comprehensive study on how community intervention programs reduce juvenile delinquency."

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'criminologist' with 'criminalist': a criminologist is a social scientist who studies the sociological and psychological causes of crime, whereas a criminalist is a forensic scientist who analyzes physical evidence from crime scenes.

• Rhymes for criminologist

• Nearby Words

criminalization
criminalize
criminally
criminologist
criminology
crimp
crimper

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century from 'criminology' + '-ist', combining the Latin stem 'crimin-' (from 'crimen', meaning 'accusation' or 'offense') with the Ancient Greek '-logia' ('study of').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Criminologist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/criminologist
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.