hoodlum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hoodlum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a person who engages in criminal or unruly behavior, often associated with youth or gangs. Example: "The neighborhood was plagued by a group of hoodlums causing trouble late at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arnie kills a hoodlum on a plane, and turns to the air hostess: "Please don't disturb my friend.

The Guardian - Film

He gets tongue-tied talking about how great he feels when he comes up with a trippy image, a cracking rhyme, a tense punchline, the mute, beleaguered hoodlum society had made him into beginning to make a living.

The Guardian - Music

In the Global Times, a nationalist-leaning state-run newspaper, an editorial (here, in Chinese) said Mr Abe had "acted like a political hoodlum".

The Economist

Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw.By Mark Bowden.Atlantic Monthly Press; 400 pages; $25.Atlantic Books; £16.99PABLO ESCOBAR was a car thief and small-time hoodlum in Medellin, Colombia's second city, when he discovered America's appetite for cocaine.

The Economist

On a bad day, the queue at passport control stretches almost to the runway.The Sheremetyevo virgin soon meets the various species of Moscow queue-jumper: the brazen hoodlum; the incremental babushka; the queue-surfing clans who relocate in groups when one of their number reaches the front.

The Economist

The murder of Galina Starovoitova was probably carried out by a hired hoodlum.

The Economist

The grey treepie, a corvid, was a late riser, but hoodlum gangs soon made up for it.

The Economist

The Assistant (1957) is about a young Gentile hoodlum and an old Jewish grocer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stevenson may have had the notorious Edinburgh scoundrel Deacon Brodie (gentleman by day, hoodlum by night) in mind when he wrote Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, yet he chose to set that book in London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From life as a Ukrainian hoodlum to a literary life in Paris, Limonov went to soldiering in the Balkans, to street life in the United States as well as life among the American jet set, and later to the leadership of an extremist party in Russia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Raised in a tough Irish-American district in Brooklyn, he was a veteran thief and hoodlum by the time that he was a teenager and, at the age of 21, was arrested and acquitted on a murder charge.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hoodlum", consider the specific context and the level of formality required. While generally understood, it carries a slightly dated or informal tone, so ensure it aligns with your audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "hoodlum" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "offender" or "criminal" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "hoodlum" functions primarily as a noun. It identifies a person, typically young, who engages in criminal or violent behavior. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as such, aligning with examples found in news articles and encyclopedias.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hoodlum" is a noun used to describe someone, often young, who engages in criminal or unruly behavior. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is correct and widespread, particularly in news and media. While "hoodlum" is generally understood, it carries a slightly dated or informal tone that makes it less suitable for highly formal or academic contexts. Alternatives such as "thug", "gangster", or "delinquent" may be more appropriate depending on the context. It's important to be mindful of the connotations associated with the term and to choose the most precise and appropriate word for the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thug

Emphasizes violence and aggression.

Gangster

Suggests involvement in organized crime.

Delinquent

Often refers to young people involved in minor crimes.

Ruffian

Highlights a boisterous and disorderly nature.

Hooligan

Implies disruptive and often vandalistic behavior.

Punk

Suggests defiance and a lack of respect for authority.

Criminal

A general term for someone who breaks the law.

Outlaw

Implies operating outside the bounds of the law, often with a sense of rebellion.

Miscreant

A formal term for a wrongdoer.

Young offender

Specifically refers to a young person who has committed a crime.

FAQs

How can I use "hoodlum" in a sentence?

You can use "hoodlum" to describe someone who engages in criminal or unruly behavior, for example: "The neighborhood was terrorized by a gang of young hoodlums."

What are some alternatives to using "hoodlum"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "thug", "gangster", or "delinquent".

Is it acceptable to use "hoodlum" in formal writing?

While generally understood, "hoodlum" is somewhat informal. For formal writing, consider using more neutral terms like "criminal" or "offender".

What connotations does the word "hoodlum" carry?

"Hoodlum" often carries connotations of youth, petty crime, and a lack of sophistication, distinguishing it from terms like "gangster" that suggest organized crime.