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embezzlement

im-BEZ-uhl-muhnt /ɪmˈbez.əl.mənt/

nounC1GRETOEFLGMAT

legalformal

The fraudulent appropriation of funds or property by someone to whom they have been entrusted.

Unlike simple theft, embezzlement requires that the perpetrator was legally in possession of the assets before stealing them.

The story behind the word. The word comes from the Old French 'embesiller', meaning to destroy or make away with. It originally referred to wasting someone's property rather than just stealing it, highlighting the breach of trust involved.

Word relationships

misappropriation: A broader term for using funds for the wrong purpose, whereas embezzlement specifically implies theft by a trusted person.

restitution: The act of returning or paying back what was stolen or lost.

Commonly confused with

larceny: Larceny is the simple taking of property, while embezzlement involves property already in the thief's lawful possession.

Word family

embezzle (verb): To secretly take money that is in your care.
embezzler (noun): A person who commits embezzlement.

Collocations

corporate embezzlement
systematic embezzlement
charged with embezzlement

Example sentences

"The treasurer was charged with embezzlement after the audit revealed millions were missing from the employee pension fund." Legal proceedings regarding corporate theft.
"The embezzlement of $4.8 million from the city's coffers led to a complete overhaul of the municipal accounting department." A famous historical reference to financial crime.

Memory hook

Think of a 'puzzle' (bezzle) where pieces of money are hidden away until the whole picture is ruined. Hiding the puzzle pieces of someone else's money.

When not to use

Do not use for a common street mugging or burglary where the thief had no prior relationship with the victim.

Fun facts

Embezzlement is often called a 'crime of the heart' because it involves a betrayal of trust by a close associate.