Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

small-time criminal

noun

/ˈsmɔlˌtaɪm ˈkrɪmɪnəl/

Definition

A person who engages in crime on a minor scale, often involving low-level offenses rather than serious or violent crimes.

Examples

The small-time criminal was caught for shoplifting.
Despite his past as a small-time criminal, he turned his life around and focuses on community service.
Many small-time criminals often struggle to find legitimate employment after their convictions.

Meaning

This term refers to individuals who participate in petty crimes, typically not associated with organized crime or serious felonies. They might commit theft, vandalism, or similar offenses but lack the involvement or ambition of larger criminal enterprises.