public enemy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to Journalistic, with informal metaphorical extensions.
Quick answer
What does “public enemy” mean?
A person or group that is widely regarded as dangerous and hostile to society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or group that is widely regarded as dangerous and hostile to society; an individual officially declared a fugitive who poses a significant threat to public safety.
Can be used metaphorically to describe an ideology, corporation, or concept perceived as a major threat to public interest or well-being (e.g., 'processed sugar is the new public enemy').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The term 'Public Enemy Number One' is strongly associated with 1930s American gangsters like John Dillinger, giving it a stronger historical/cultural resonance in AmE.
Connotations
In AmE, strong historical/cinematic connotations of gangster era. In BrE, may be used slightly more abstractly for political or social threats.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in serious journalism; slightly higher in AmE due to historical and pop culture references (e.g., the rap group Public Enemy).
Grammar
How to Use “public enemy” in a Sentence
[Subject] be/be considered/be branded a public enemy[Authority] declare [someone] a public enemy[Concept] is the public enemy of [society/health]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “public enemy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The press sought to public-enemy the controversial minister.
- (Note: highly non-standard, creative use)
American English
- The DA's strategy was to public-enemy the mob boss in the media.
- (Note: highly non-standard, creative use)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable – no standard adverbial form)
American English
- (Not applicable – no standard adverbial form)
adjective
British English
- He had a public-enemy status after the leak.
- (Note: hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- The film portrayed a public-enemy era gangster.
- (Note: hyphenated attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The new regulation was treated as public enemy number one by the industry.'
Academic
Used in criminology, sociology, and media studies to discuss the construction of social threats and 'moral panics.'
Everyday
Used hyperbolically for strong disapproval: 'Mosquitoes are public enemy number one in my garden.'
Technical
In law enforcement history, a classification for high-profile fugitives (largely archaic).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “public enemy”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “public enemy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “public enemy”
- Using 'public enemy' to mean a personal enemy known to many (e.g., 'He's my public enemy'). Incorrect. It implies a threat to the collective.
- Treating it as a simple synonym for 'criminal' – it implies a high level of notoriety and perceived threat.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its origins are in law enforcement (e.g., 'Public Enemy Number One' list), but its primary modern use is figurative and rhetorical in media and political discourse.
Yes, metaphorically. E.g., 'The tobacco company was described as a public enemy for hiding health risks.' It means it is perceived as acting against public welfare.
An 'enemy of the state' implies opposition to the government or its authority. A 'public enemy' emphasizes being a threat to the safety and order of society as a whole, though the terms often overlap.
Yes, the plural is grammatically correct and used when referring to multiple individuals or entities (e.g., 'The group listed several corporations as public enemies').
A person or group that is widely regarded as dangerous and hostile to society.
Public enemy is usually formal to journalistic, with informal metaphorical extensions. in register.
Public enemy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpʌblɪk ˈenəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpʌblɪk ˈɛnəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Public Enemy Number One”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a poster on a post office wall - someone 'publicly' declared an 'enemy' of the state.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A BODY (the enemy is a disease/pathogen), THE STATE IS A PERSON (it has enemies).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'public enemy' LEAST likely to be used literally today?