paedophile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paedophile" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an adult who is sexually attracted to prepubescent children. Example: "The investigation revealed that the suspect had been identified as a paedophile, leading to serious legal consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I believe a new home secretary after the general election should even now include the Kincora scandal into the wider Westminster paedophile inquiry".

The Guardian

The next home secretary must include the Kincora boys' home scandal in the Westminster paedophile inquiry, according to a leading politician in east Belfast, where the abuse took place.

The Guardian

The Alliance MP's call comes as a victim of abuse at Kincora speaks out on Tuesday night's Channel 4 News alleging that he was taken from the east Belfast home to London where he was molested by members of a VIP paedophile ring.

The Guardian

Now, 10 years on, senior officers have visited Full Sutton prison in York, to question Brian Lunn Field, a violent paedophile serving life for the kidnap and murder of 14-year-old Roy Tutill in Surrey in 1968.

The Guardian

"I just find that so unacceptable when I sat there and gave so many examples... when I'm worried that he's a paedophile, it should click, it shouldn't just be ignored.

The Guardian

There is something symbolically apt, for example, about the way the grotesque figure of the dead paedophile, Father Brendan Smyth, has returned to threaten the position of the head of the Irish church, Cardinal Sean Brady.

The Guardian

Wyndham had just outlined the violence and murkiness in Homes's dark satires of American life: a jailed paedophile, a girl who picks up used condoms and inseminates herself, car crashes, adultery, murder.

The Guardian - Books

The leader of the Irish Catholic church, who resisted calls to resign when details emerged of a secret deal between the church, child sex abuse victims and one of the country's most notorious paedophile priests, has announced his retirement.

The Guardian

'If you come to me and say, I hear you're a bigot, I hear you're a paedophile, I hear you cheat on your taxes, you bet your ass I'd stand up and defend myself because those are things I don't want to be associated with and I find reprehensible.

The Guardian - Film

A paedophile who admitted terrorising teenage girls into sending him explicit photographs of themselves via the internet was jailed for 10 years yesterday.

The Guardian - Tech

While TLC's response seems appropriate, it's surprising it took them even this long – a show in which a convicted paedophile is introduced to a cast of mainly minors could never have stayed on the air.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Contextualize your usage of the term "paedophile" with sensitivity, especially when discussing legal or social implications. Provide references where appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "paedophile" loosely to describe any kind of inappropriate behavior involving children. The term has a specific legal and psychological meaning, and misapplication can lead to harmful stigmatization and misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The term "paedophile" functions primarily as a noun, identifying an individual with a sexual attraction to children. As Ludwig AI also explains, it is often used in news reports, legal contexts, and discussions about child safety. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in contexts related to crime, scandal, and social issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "paedophile" is a noun used to identify individuals with a sexual attraction to children or perpetrators of child sexual abuse, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and formal contexts. The term is a neutral or formal register and the primary communicative purpose is to clearly identify the individual. Best practices include using the term accurately and avoiding generalizations, while common errors involve mislabeling and stigmatization. Related phrases include "child molester" and "child abuser". Use contextualized language with accuracy and sensitivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pedophile

An alternative spelling, maintaining the same meaning.

child molester

Refers directly to someone who sexually abuses children.

child predator

Emphasizes the predatory nature of the individual targeting children.

child abuser

A broader term encompassing any form of abuse directed at a child, including sexual abuse.

perpetrator of child sexual abuse

Focuses on the act of abuse and identifies the person responsible.

sex offender against children

A more formal and legalistic term for someone who has committed a sexual offense against a child.

child exploitation offender

Focuses on the exploitation aspect of the abuse.

offender against minors

Uses the term "minors" to refer to children, broadening the scope slightly.

one who is sexually attracted to children

Describes the attraction without explicitly stating the act of abuse.

individual with pedophilia

Highlights the condition of pedophilia as a psychological disorder.

FAQs

What's the difference between "paedophile" and "child molester"?

While often used interchangeably, "paedophile" technically refers to someone with a sexual attraction to children, while "child molester" refers to someone who commits acts of sexual abuse against children. Not all paedophiles are child molesters, and vice versa.

Is "paedophile" the same as "pedophile"?

"Paedophile" and "pedophile" are different spellings of the same word, with "paedophile" being more common in British English and "pedophile" in American English. They both refer to an individual with a sexual attraction to children.

How should I use the term "paedophile" in a sentence?

Use "paedophile" to accurately describe someone with a sexual attraction to children or someone who has committed acts of child sexual abuse. For example, "The investigation revealed the suspect was a convicted paedophile." Ensure accuracy and avoid generalizations.

What are some less stigmatizing alternatives to "paedophile"?

While there are no truly neutral alternatives due to the severity of the issue, you can use phrases like "child sex offender" or "person convicted of child sexual abuse" when referring to someone who has been convicted of such crimes. Be precise and avoid generalizations.