Vengeful
/ˈvɛn.dʒ.fəl/noun
Feeling or showing a desire to get revenge.
Did you know?Vengeful is ultimately built on the same Latin root as vengeance and avenge, from vindicare, a word tied to claiming, defending, and exacting justice.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
vindicare
“to claim, defend, set free, or punish; to assert a right”
Late Latin
Latin
vindicta
“revenge, punishment, or legal claim”
Old French
Old French
vengier
“to avenge, take revenge”
Middle English
English
vengeful
“disposed to revenge”
Modern English
English
vengeful
“feeling or showing a desire to get revenge”
Explore more surprising origins