fel ‧ o ‧ ny /ˈfeləni/ BrE AmE noun ( plural felonies ) [uncountable and countable] law
a serious crime such as murder ⇨ misdemeanour
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THESAURUS
■ illegal actions
▪ crime noun [uncountable and countable] an illegal action or activity, or these actions in general:
The police need the public’s help to solve crimes.
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Crime is on the increase.
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It was a horrific crime.
▪ offence British English , offense American English noun [countable] a crime, especially one that has a particular description and name in law:
It is an offence to drive while using a mobile phone.
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a minor offence (=one that is not serious)
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a serious offence
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a parking offence
▪ misdemeanor noun [countable] American English law a crime that is not very serious:
They pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and were fined.
▪ felony noun [uncountable and countable] especially American English law a serious crime:
Fewer than 25 percent of the people arrested on felony charges are convicted.
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He committed a series of violent felonies.