ringleader
|ring/lead/er|
🇺🇸
/ˈrɪŋˌliːdər/
🇬🇧
/ˈrɪŋˌliːdə/
leader or chief instigator of a group
Etymology
'ringleader' originates from English, a compound of 'ring' (meaning a circle or small group) and 'leader' (one who leads).
'ring' comes from Old English 'hring' (circle), via Proto-Germanic '*hringaz'; 'leader' derives from Old English 'lǣdere' from the verb 'lǣdan' (to lead). The compound use 'ring' meaning a group (as in a 'ring' of conspirators) developed by modern English, and the compound 'ringleader' emerged to denote the head of such a group.
Originally built from the literal senses 'ring' (circle/group) + 'leader', it came to be used specifically for the chief instigator of a group, especially for wrongful or seditious activities; that sense remains the primary meaning today.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who organizes or leads a group engaged in wrongdoing, illegal activity, or a plot; the chief instigator.
The police arrested the ringleader of the smuggling ring.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
informal: someone who is the main cause or organizer of a disturbance, protest, or mischievous activity (used figuratively).
She was labeled the ringleader of the student protests.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/07 01:40