# villainy

> English word · Noun · frequency rank #47,406

## Definitions
1. Evil or wicked character or behaviour.
2. A wicked or treacherous act.
3. Ill-treatment, indignity, degrading or shameful treatment of someone.
4. Disgrace, ignominy.
5. The state of being a villein or serf, and by extension servitude or low estate in life.
6. Boorishness, rudeness, bad cultivation or manners.

## Etymology
From Middle English vileinie, vileynye, from Anglo-Norman vilenie, from Old French vilanie.

## Easily confused with
- **villain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/villain-vs-villainy)

## Common misspellings (10)
`ivllainy`, `vilainy`, `vilaliny`, `villainny`, `villainyy`, `villaiyn`, `villaniy`, `villiany`, `vlilainy`, `vvillainy`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/villainy