Standard Lemma guide

third-degree

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

At the third level of some system

The least severe level of felony, typically involving a lack of planning and/or the presence of various mitigating factors.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: law

Examples

  • The jury found him guilty of third-degree murder since he had only meant to beat the clown, not to kill him.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

At the third level of some system

An extremely severe level of damage, typically involving major scarring and damage to subcutaneous tissue as well as the epidermis.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: lievä — least severe level of felony offense
  • Dutch: van de derde graad — severely burnt
  • Dutch: derdegraads- — severely burnt
  • Finnish: kolmannen asteen — severely burnt
  • Hungarian: harmadfokú — severely burnt