Use felony for crimes classified by law as especially serious, with the exact threshold depending on the jurisdiction.
Use felony for crimes classified by law as especially serious, with the exact threshold depending on the jurisdiction.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He got a felony for parking in the wrong place. | He got a ticket for parking in the wrong place. |
| The shoplifting charge was a felony because any theft is a felony. | The shoplifting charge may be a felony only if the law classifies it that way. |
| She was convicted with a felony. | She was convicted of a felony. |
Use felony in historical writing for the older legal category tied to forfeiture, not simply as a synonym for any medieval wrongdoing.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| In medieval law, a felony meant any offense punished by more than one year in prison. | In medieval law, a felony could involve forfeiture of land or goods. |
| A feudal felony was just a small breach of manners. | A feudal felony was a grave breach that could cost a vassal a fee. |
| The king seized the estate because the act was a misdemeanor. | The king seized the estate because the act was treated as a felony. |
Use felony for a legally defined serious crime, and check the jurisdiction because the exact boundary with misdemeanor is set by law.
A parking ticket or other petty violation is wrongly called a felony when the law treats it as a lesser offense.
From Middle English felonie, from Old French felonie, meaning wickedness or evil-doing, from felon. The deeper origin of felon is uncertain.
What does felony mean?
Felony means a serious criminal offense, usually more severe than a misdemeanor and often punishable by more than one year in prison.
Is every crime a felony?
No. Many crimes are misdemeanors or infractions, while felony is reserved for offenses that the law classifies as especially serious.
Does felony mean the same thing everywhere?
No. Jurisdictions classify crimes differently, so the exact definition and penalties for a felony depend on the legal system.
How is felony different from misdemeanor?
A felony is the more serious category and usually carries heavier penalties, while a misdemeanor is a lesser criminal offense.
Where does felony come from?
Felony came through Middle English and Old French from words connected with wickedness or evil-doing, though the deeper origin is uncertain.