judas
C1formal, literary, historical, figurative
Definition
Meaning
a person who betrays a friend, especially by deceiving them.
A treacherous person or informer; also used as an attributive noun (e.g., judas kiss) or adjective (e.g., judas act). Historically, specifically a traitor who pretends friendship before betrayal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is always pejorative and strongly metaphorical, deriving from the biblical figure Judas Iscariot. It implies a profound, often shocking, betrayal of trust, not merely disloyalty. It can function as both a common noun and a proper noun (capitalised or not).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant orthographic, phonetic, or semantic differences. Usage frequency and contexts are similar.
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of ultimate treachery and hypocrisy.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in formal writing, religious discourse, and figurative use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is a judas.[Subject] proved (to be) a judas.[Subject] played the judas (to [Object]).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “judas kiss: an act of betrayal disguised as a gesture of friendship.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Extremely rare; could be used metaphorically in narratives about corporate espionage or betrayal.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, and literary analyses discussing betrayal archetypes.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used for dramatic effect when describing a profound personal betrayal.
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He judased his comrades for a promise of safety.
- To be judased by one's closest ally is devastating.
American English
- He judased his business partners, selling their secrets.
- She felt judased by the leaked confidential email.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard. No common adverbial use.)
American English
- (Not standard. No common adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- It was a judas act, pure and simple.
- His judas behaviour shocked the community.
American English
- The senator's judas vote betrayed his party's core principles.
- She couldn't forgive his judas move.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not typically introduced at A2 level)
- He felt like a judas for telling the teacher.
- In the story, the friend becomes a judas.
- After leaking the plans to the rival firm, he was branded a judas by his colleagues.
- The politician's defection was seen as the ultimate judas move.
- The memoir painted her former confidante as a modern-day judas, detailing years of deceit culminating in a public denouncement.
- His judas kiss—a supportive speech preceding his hostile takeover bid—was particularly brutal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of JUDAS: Just Under Disguise, Acts Sinister. Reminds you of betrayal hidden behind a friendly face.
Conceptual Metaphor
BETRAYAL IS A POISONOUS KISS / BETRAYAL IS A MONETARY TRANSACTION (from the 30 pieces of silver).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian male name "Иуда" (Iuda), which is used almost exclusively in the biblical/pejorative sense. The English "Judas" functions more freely as a common noun (e.g., 'He is a judas.').
- In Russian, the name itself is the insult; in English, it's often preceded by an article ('a judas').
Common Mistakes
- Capitalising it unnecessarily when used as a common noun (e.g., 'He was a Judas' vs. 'He was a judas' – both are acceptable but the lowercase is standard for the common noun).
- Using it for minor disloyalties rather than a major, hypocritical betrayal.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'judas' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring specifically to Judas Iscariot, capitalise it as a proper noun ('Judas betrayed Jesus'). When used as a common noun meaning 'traitor', it is often lowercase ('a judas in our midst'), though capitalisation is also seen and not incorrect.
It's a separate term, not directly related to betrayal. A judas hole (or judas window) is a small peephole in a door, especially in a prison cell, allowing guards to look in. The name comes from the idea of secret observation.
No. While derived from a male name, as a common noun it can be applied to any gender (e.g., 'She was the judas of the organisation').
It is stronger and more specific. 'Traitor' is a general term for betraying one's country or cause. 'Judas' adds a layer of profound personal betrayal, hypocrisy, and often a breach of intimate trust, invoking the biblical archetype.