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Hoodlum

usgb/ˈhʊdləm/Volume
nounPlay

A person who is violent and commits crimes.

The city has been plagued by a group of hoodlums causing trouble late at night.
Often appears as...
local hoodlums
teenage hoodlums
Usage tips
LampDisapproving
Left Definition 1 of 1Right
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Negative ConnotationPlay
Hoodlum has a very negative meaning, suggesting violent and criminal behavior. SlideThe once peaceful neighborhood is now worried about the hoodlums on the streets.
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Informal UsagePlay
Hoodlum is informal and often used in casual conversation or the media, not formal documents. SlideI heard that some hoodlums were causing chaos at the mall yesterday.
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Age ImplicationPlay
Often implies younger individuals, sometimes used to describe troublesome youth in groups. SlideA band of teenage hoodlums was caught vandalizing the public park.