Villain-Villein | Commonly Confused Words
Special Offer Special Offer
0d : 00h : 00m : 00s

Master confusing words with ease

Villain vs. Villein

Villain

/ˈvɪlən/
A person or character in a story who does evil or harmful things

Examples:

The villain hatched a devious plot to take over the kingdom.Despite his villainous acts, he had a tragic backstory.The movie's villain captivated audiences with his charisma.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Villein

/ˈvɪlən/
A medieval peasant who was legally tied to the land they worked and were subject to the lord's will; they were part of the feudal system.

Examples:

The villein worked tirelessly on the lord's lands.A villein was bound to the manor, unlike freemen.Villeins often paid rent through labor services.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Villain is often associated with bad characters in stories, especially those who oppose the hero.
  • Villein is a historical term from the feudal system, referring to a class of serfs or peasants tied to working on a noble's land.
  • Remember a villain in a mask might appear in comic books, while a villein might be found in history books about the Middle Ages.
© 2025 Lithium Lab Pte Ltd