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Definition of perp

perp

/ˈpɜːrp/
perp
Plural:perps
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perp Lexical Profile

perp Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A person who commits or is suspected of committing a crime or illegal act; a perpetrator (originally law enforcement slang).

Example

"The detectives reviewed the security camera footage to identify the perp who broke into the store."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for perp

• Nearby Words

perniciousness
perovskia
peroxide
perp
perpendicular
perpendicularly
perpetrate

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American police jargon as a clipped shortening of 'perpetrator', ultimately from Latin 'perpetrare' ('to carry through' or 'to accomplish').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Perp. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/perp
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