Thug was the name given by the British in India in the 19th century to a member of a band of thieves and murderers. A thug would pretend to be friendly with a traveler and offer to share a journey.

Look up thug in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Thug or THUG may refer to:

THUG definition: 1. a man who acts violently, especially to commit a crime: 2. a man who acts violently, especially…. Learn more.

A thug is a bad guy or a bully, especially a violent one. A thug might break into someone's house, push its owners around, and steal their TV.

If you refer to someone as a thug, you think they are violent or a criminal. 2 meanings: 1. a tough and violent man, esp a criminal 2. (formerly) a member of an organization of robbers and assassins in....

Definition of thug noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. a violent person, especially a criminal. He was beaten up by a gang of thugs. The people who do these sorts of things are just …

Apr 6, 2026 · Noun thug (plural thugs) A person who is a member of a gang or criminal organization. A violent, aggressive, or truculent person.

Factsheet What does the word thug mean? There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word thug. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

thug (θʌg) n. 1. a vicious criminal or ruffian. 2. (sometimes cap.) a member of a fraternity of professional robbers and murderers in India, suppressed by the British in the 19th century.

May 16, 2024 · A thug is a criminal who may engage in violent and abusive behavior to accomplish goals such as robbery. In addition to committing crimes like robbery, thugs can also act as criminal …