A felon is someone who has been found guilty of a serious crime called a felony. In the United States and some other countries, felonies are the most serious type of crime, including things like robbery or setting fires on purpose. They're different from minor crimes called misdemeanors, like traffic violations.

People convicted of felonies usually face prison time, large fines, and other lasting consequences. The label of felon can stay with them even after they've served their punishment.

Today the word still carries a sense of gravity: it is used for crimes that society considers very harmful.