🎨 A cartoon character 🐀 A traitor

ratfink

9.9

A person who betrays others and cannot be trusted

noun
/ˈrætˌfɪŋk/

Offensive

: soplón

Ah, I see our ratfink landlord has left a hole in the skylight.

Examples

Everyone knows she's a ratfink; she always backstabs her friends.
By golly, I think the little ratfink is tripping, Alvin thought.

Fiction book (2002)
I can't believe he would betray us; he's such a ratfink for telling our secrets.
After he sold out his colleagues, they all agreed that he was a real ratfink.

Synonyms

rat

vsratfink

Offensive

330 7.3

A person who betrays a group by telling secret information to outsiders

is a casual label for treacherous, untrustworthy people beyond formal betraying

fucker

vsratfink

Offensive

293 9.9

A very rude and insulting word for a person you strongly dislike

is used for treacherous or untrustworthy people rather than general detestation

scumbag

vsratfink

Offensive

168 9.5

A person who treats other people very badly and unfairly

is a slang term focusing on treachery rather than only general contempt

weasel

vsratfink

Offensive

64 7.9

A person who is sneaky and dishonest, often trying to trick others

is used more for broad treachery rather than cunning evasiveness

heel

vsratfink

Offensive

47 8.4

A person who behaves badly and cannot be trusted

is a slang label for treacherous, untrustworthy people, not just bad behaviour

dirtbag

vsratfink

Offensive

40 8.2

An unpleasant person who lies or treats others badly

refers more to treachery and betrayal than general moral lowliness

crumb

vsratfink

Offensive

20 9.2

A person who is mean and cannot be trusted

is a slang name focused on betrayal and treachery rather than only insult

fink

vsratfink

Offensive

18 9.2

A person who gives information about others to the police, betraying them

is used more broadly for treacherous, untrustworthy people not only informers

skunk

vsratfink

Offensive

16 8.1

A person who behaves badly and cannot be trusted

is used for treachery and betrayal more than casual insult

rat bastard

vsratfink

Offensive

13 9.9

A rude word for a person who is cruel or dishonest

adds a betrayal implication, naming treacherous, untrustworthy people

slimeball

vsratfink

Offensive

11 8.2

A person who lies and cannot be trusted

is a slang insult that points to treachery more than general nastiness

wretch

vsratfink

Offensive

11 7.5

A cruel person who treats others badly

stresses treachery and untrustworthiness rather than general wickedness

stinker

vsratfink

Offensive

10 7.2

A person who is mean or dishonest

focuses on treachery and untrustworthiness rather than casual insult

rotter

vsratfink

Offensive

9 8.9

A person who treats others very badly

is more specific to treachery and betrayal than general unpleasantness

cur

vsratfink

Offensive

6 9.9

A rude word for a person who is cowardly or mean

leans toward treachery and untrustworthiness rather than cowardice

blackguard

vsratfink

Offensive

4 9.9

A person who lies, cheats, or treats others badly

emphasizes treachery and betrayal rather than general dishonour

hoser

vsratfink

Offensive

4 9.9

A person who behaves foolishly and cannot be trusted

focuses on treachery and untrustworthiness rather than mere foolishness

skee

vsratfink

Offensive

3 9.9

A person who seems untrustworthy and suspicious

is stronger, naming active betrayal rather than mere suspicion

ratter

vsratfink

Offensive

2 9.9

A person who betrays their friends or group

is used for treacherous or untrustworthy people more generally

dirty dog

vsratfink

Offensive

2 8.0

A person who behaves badly or cheats others

is aimed at treachery and untrustworthiness rather than mischief or playfulness

ratbag

vsratfink

Offensive

1 9.1

A person who behaves badly or annoys others, often as a joke

is about treachery and betrayal rather than mere mischief or irritation

rooker

vsratfink

Offensive

1 9.9

A person who cheats others to get money or things

is broader, naming treacherous people beyond cheating or swindling

stinkpot

vsratfink

Offensive

1 9.9

A rude word for a person people strongly dislike

is aimed at treachery and betrayal rather than general insults

scummer

vsratfink

Offensive

1 9.9

A person who lies or cheats and treats others badly

highlights treachery and betrayal more than general low character

sewer rat

vsratfink

Offensive

1 9.0

An insulting name for a person thought to be very bad and not to be trusted

is used for treachery and betrayal rather than physical dirtiness

rat with wings

vsratfink

Offensive

1 9.8

An annoying person or thing that keeps coming back

is focused on treachery and untrustworthiness rather than mere annoyance

shitdog

vsratfink

Offensive

9.9

An insulting word for a person who cheats or lies

is concentrated on treachery and betrayal more than general dishonesty

total shitbucket

vsratfink

Offensive

9.9

A rude word for a person who is dishonest, cruel, or very mean

is used for treachery or betrayal rather than mere badness

plague rat

vsratfink

Offensive

9.9

An insulting word for a person people think is dishonest or harmful

is applied to treachery and untrustworthiness rather than disease imagery

Surface Forms

ratfink singular

ratfinks plural

Morphology

ratfink = rat + fink (transparent) = rat + fink

The derogatory meaning is directly built from two insulting nouns that both convey treachery or contempt, so a learner familiar with those components can infer the sense.

Etymology

Ratfink as an insult combines rat (a 'sneaky' or 'traitor'-like animal) and fink (someone who 'tells on others' or is 'despicable'), so calling a person a ratfink is a strong way to say they are treacherous and not to be trusted.