embezzlement
im-BEZ-uhl-munt
/ɪmˈbɛzəlmənt/
Theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.
Differs from ordinary theft because the perpetrator was legally entrusted with the money before secretly stealing it.
The story behind the word. From Anglo-French 'embesiler', meaning to make away with or destroy. The term entered English legal usage in the 15th century to define a special category of breach of trust where an employee secretly converts an employer's property to their own use.
Word relationships
- misappropriation: Misappropriation can involve using funds for unauthorized purposes without personal theft, whereas embezzlement implies stealing entrusted funds.
- defalcation: Defalcation is a legal term specifically for failure to account for money held in trust, usually through embezzlement.
- restitution: Restitution is the returning of stolen property or paying compensation for financial damage.
Commonly confused with
- larceny: Larceny involves taking property without permission from the start, while embezzlement involves taking property that was legitimately entrusted to you.
Word family
- embezzle (verb): To secretly steal money placed in one's trust.
- embezzler (noun): A person who commits embezzlement.
Collocations
- charge of embezzlement
- embezzlement of funds
- suspected embezzlement
- convicted of embezzlement
Example sentences
- "The chief financial officer was arrested after an auditor detected millions in embezzlement over five years." Financial Crime
- "The charity implemented strict financial controls following an internal embezzlement scandal." Non-profit Sector
Memory hook
In-BEZZLE = inside job where someone takes the cash in a BEZEL (ring/container). Stealing money you were trusted to hold.
When not to use
Do not use for robbery or mugging where the thief had no prior legal access to the stolen property.
Fun facts
- Embezzlement was created as a distinct statutory crime in England because early common-law larceny required a physical 'trespass' or taking without consent.
Related words
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