Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Heinous

Hei′nous

(hā′nŭs)
,
Adj.
[OF.
haïnos
hateful, F.
haineux
, fr. OF.
haïne
hate, F.
haine
, fr.
haïr
to hate; of German origin. See
Hate
.]
Hateful; hatefully bad; flagrant; odious; atrocious; giving great offense; – applied to deeds or to character.
It were most
heinous
and accursed sacrilege.
Hooker.
–
Hei′nous-ly
,
adv.
–
Hei′nous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Heinous

HEINOUS

,
Adj.
An incorrect orthography. [See Hainous.]

Definition 2024

heinous

heinous

English

Adjective

heinous ‎(comparative more heinous, superlative most heinous)

  1. Totally reprehensible.
    I hope they catch the person responsible for that heinous crime.
    The perpetrators of this heinous act must be brought to justice.
    The government denounced the attack as the most heinous of the last decade.
    Political Leaders from around the world have condemned these heinous acts.
    In our public services sorry seems to be the most heinous word.

Usage notes

  • Nouns to which "heinous" is often applied: crime, act, sin, murder, offence.

Synonyms

Translations

Anagrams

Etymology

From Old French haineus (compare French haineux) from haïr ‎(“to hate”), hadir ‎(“to hate”)(compare Old French enhadir ‎(“to become filled with hate”)), from Frankish *hatjan ‎(“to hate”)

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈheɪnəs/
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhiːnəs/
  • Rhymes: -eɪnəs

Similar Results