gangster

noun

gang·​ster ˈgaŋ-stər How to pronounce gangster (audio)
: a member of a gang of criminals : racketeer
gangsterdom noun
gangsterish adjective
gangsterism noun

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What is the history of the word gangster?

Gangster came into the English language at the latter portion of the 19th century, as one of what is now a large parcel of words which have been formed by adding the noun combining form –ster to an existing word. The ending -ster has a number of possible meanings (“one that does, handles, or operates,” “one that makes or uses,” “one that is associated with or participates in,” “one that is”), and one of its interesting elements is that it has, in many cases, shifted its gender. This second portion of gangster comes from the Old English -estre, meaning “female agent.” The word tapster ("a bartender"), for instance, was tæppestre in Old English, and designated a barmaid, or female tapster. In modern use the addition of -ster may often be found in a gender-neutral sense, as with hipster, or with implications of masculinity, as with gangster and mobster, through prevalence of usage.

Examples of gangster in a Sentence

Al Capone remains one of the most notorious gangsters in American history.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ineffably, Renko’s qualities of solidity and rebelliousness bring my father back to me, and the whole 11-book series, set mostly in Russia (with excursions to Cuba and the Arctic Circle), is a galloping wonder, full of apparatchiks, spies, oligarchs, gangsters, and murders galore. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 16 July 2025 Aside from the already extraordinary tale of the O’Leary clan, Jim O’Leary led a life of adventure as a main cog for the city’s infamous gambling operations at a time when gangsters battled over control of the Prohibition liquor trade. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025 As soon as movies proved to be an incredibly profitable enterprise, rivaling that of the Gilded Age titans, the industry attracted a range of investors, business leaders, bankers, and gangsters. Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025 By World War II, Superman had a much greater fight at hand than local gangsters and villains like Lex Luthor. Samantha Baskind, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gangster

Word History

Etymology

gang entry 1 + -ster

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gangster was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Gangster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gangster. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

gangster

noun
gang·​ster ˈgaŋ-stər How to pronounce gangster (audio)
: a member of a gang of criminals : racketeer
gangsterism noun

Legal Definition

gangster

noun
gang·​ster
: a member of a gang of criminals

More from Merriam-Webster on gangster

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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