theft
THEFT
/θɛft/
The generic act of stealing property with the intent to deprive the owner of it permanently.
Theft is the umbrella term for all crimes involving the taking of property without permission. It is less specific than robbery or burglary.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Old English 'thiefth', which simply meant the act of being a thief. It has remained the standard English term for stealing for over a thousand years.
Word relationships
- stealing: A more informal, general gerund for the act.
- larceny: The specific legal term used in many jurisdictions.
- restitution: The act of returning something to its proper owner.
- donation: The voluntary giving of property.
Commonly confused with
- robbery: Robbery requires the use of force or threat against a person, while theft does not.
Word family
- thief (noun): A person who steals.
- thieve (verb): To commit theft.
- thievish (adjective): Having a tendency to steal.
Collocations
- identity theft
- grand theft
- petty theft
- report a theft
Idioms & expressions
- like a thief in the night
Example sentences
- "The theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 made the painting the most famous in the world." Historical Fact (The New York Times)
- "Identity theft has become a major concern for consumers in the digital age." Modern Context
Memory hook
T-H-E-F-T: Taking His Every Favorite Thing. The general word for stealing.
When not to use
Do not use theft if force was used against a person (use robbery) or if a building was illegally entered (use burglary).
Fun facts
- In some ancient cultures, theft was punished by the removal of the thief's hand.
- The most stolen book in the world is the Bible, ironically enough.
Explore more words
larceny, misappropriation, embezzlement, misdemeanor, identity theft, cybercrime
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