Theft: meaning, definitions and examples

🕵️‍♂️

Add to dictionary

theft

[θɛft ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

criminal act

The action or crime of stealing.

Synonyms

larceny, robbery, stealing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
theft	A broad term used for the act of taking someone's property without permission. It is often used in both legal and everyday contexts. The theft of the car was reported to the police She discovered the theft when she couldn't find her wallet
stealing	An informal term commonly used in everyday language to describe the act of taking something that doesn't belong to you. It can be used in less severe contexts. He got caught stealing candy from the store Stealing someone's ideas without permission is unethical
robbery	Involves taking property from a person by force, intimidation, or threat. It is often used in a more serious context as it involves direct confrontation. The bank was the target of an armed robbery She was a victim of robbery when someone snatched her purse and ran
larceny	A legal term specifically related to the unlawful taking of personal property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently. It is often used in legal discussions and documentation. He was charged with larceny after stealing $1,000 from the store Larceny is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of the stolen property

Examples of usage

He was arrested for theft.
The theft of the artwork was reported to the police.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal term

The unauthorized taking of another person's property.

Synonyms

appropriation, embezzlement, misappropriation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
theft	The general act of stealing, applicable in various situations where someone takes something that doesn't belong to them without permission. He was arrested for the theft of a bicycle. Identity theft is a growing concern in the digital age.
appropriation	Used in contexts involving the use of something for one's own purposes, often without permission or in an unauthorized manner, and can be neutral or negative depending on context. The cultural appropriation debate has sparked many heated discussions. Her silent appropriation of his ideas was evident.
embezzlement	Refers specifically to the theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer, often in a financial or business context. He was charged with embezzlement after millions went missing from the company accounts. The company's accountant was found guilty of embezzlement.
misappropriation	Similar to embezzlement, it involves using or taking something dishonestly for one's own use, especially funds or resources, often in a legal or formal context. There were several allegations of misappropriation of public funds. The manager was fired for the misappropriation of company assets.

Examples of usage

He was charged with theft of intellectual property.
Theft is a punishable offense under the law.

Translations

Translations of the word "theft" in other languages:

🇵🇹 roubo

🇮🇳 चोरी (chori)

🇩🇪 Diebstahl

🇮🇩 pencurian

🇺🇦 крадіжка

🇵🇱 kradzież

🇯🇵 盗難 (tōnan)

🇫🇷 vol

🇪🇸 robo

🇹🇷 hırsızlık

🇰🇷 절도 (jeoldo)

🇸🇦 سرقة (sariqa)

🇨🇿 krádež

🇸🇰 krádež

🇨🇳 盗窃 (dàoqiè)

🇸🇮 tatvina

🇮🇸 þjófnaður

🇰🇿 ұрлық

🇬🇪 ქურდობა (kurdoba)

🇦🇿 oğurluq

🇲🇽 robo

Etymology

The word 'theft' originated from Old English 'theofth', which was derived from the Germanic base of 'theft-', meaning 'stealing'. The concept of theft has been present in human societies since ancient times, with laws and punishments evolving to address this crime.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,747 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6744 correspondent
6745 verify
6746 disciplines
6747 theft
6748 inmates
6749 blades
6750 missile
...