Steal: meaning, definitions and examples

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steal

[ stiːl ]

^{Context #1}

crime

To take (something) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

Synonyms

pilfer, rob, thieve

Examples of usage

He was caught stealing money from the cash register.
She stole my phone while I wasn't looking.

^{Context #2}

ideas

To take (another person's idea) and use it as one's own.

Synonyms

appropriate, copy, plagiarize

Examples of usage

He stole the concept for his new song from a lesser-known artist.
She accused him of stealing her design for the project.

^{Context #3}

informal

Something that has been stolen.

Synonyms

heist, robbery, theft

Examples of usage

The police recovered the stolen goods from the thief's house.
She reported the steal to the authorities.

Translations

Translations of the word "steal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 roubar

🇮🇳 चोरी करना (chori karna)

🇩🇪 stehlen

🇮🇩 mencuri

🇺🇦 красти

🇵🇱 kraść

🇯🇵 盗む (nusumu)

🇫🇷 voler

🇪🇸 robar

🇹🇷 çalmak

🇰🇷 훔치다 (humchida)

🇸🇦 سرق (saraq)

🇨🇿 krást

🇸🇰 kradnúť

🇨🇳 偷 (tōu)

🇸🇮 krasti

🇮🇸 stela

🇰🇿 ұрлау (ūrlau)

🇬🇪 მოპარვა (moparva)

🇦🇿 oğurlamaq

🇲🇽 robar

Word origin

The word 'steal' has Old English origins, with roots in the Germanic word 'stelan'. It has been used in English for centuries to describe the act of taking something without permission. The concept of stealing has been a part of human society since ancient times, with laws and punishments evolving to deter theft. Throughout history, the definition and consequences of stealing have varied across different cultures and legal systems.

See also: stealer, stealing, stealth, stole.