Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [veen-l]
- /ˈvin l/
- /ˈviː.nəl/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [veen-l]
- /ˈvin l/
Definitions of venal word
- adjective venal willing to sell one's influence, especially in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary: a venal judge. 1
- adjective venal able to be purchased, as by a bribe: venal acquittals. 1
- adjective venal associated with or characterized by bribery: a venal administration; venal agreements. 1
- adjective venal mercenary 1
- adjective venal If you describe someone as venal, you disapprove of them because they are prepared to do almost anything in return for money, even things which are dishonest or immoral. 0
- adjective venal easily bribed or corrupted; mercenary 0
Information block about the term
Origin of venal
First appearance:
before 1645 One of the 44% oldest English words
1645-55; < Latin vēnālis, equivalent to vēn(um) (accusative) for sale (cf. vend) + -ālis -al1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Venal
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
venal popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
venal usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for venal
adj venal
- amoral — If you describe someone as amoral, you do not like the way they behave because they do not seem to care whether what they do is right or wrong.
- buyable — available to be bought
- casuistic — of or having to do with casuistry or casuists
- commercial — Commercial means involving or relating to the buying and selling of goods.
- corrupt — Someone who is corrupt behaves in a way that is morally wrong, especially by doing dishonest or illegal things in return for money or power.
adjective venal
- exploitative — In the nature of exploitation; acting to exploit someone or something.
- falsehearted — Alternative spelling of false-hearted.
- moneygrubbing — Alternative spelling of money-grubbing.
- niggardly — reluctant to give or spend; stingy; miserly.
Antonyms for venal
adjective venal
- incorruptible — not corruptible: incorruptible integrity.
Top questions with venal
- what does venal mean?
- what is venal?
- what is the meaning of venal?