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theft
[ theft ]
noun
- the act of stealing; the wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods or property of another; larceny.
- an instance of this.
- Archaic. something stolen.
theft
/ θɛڳ /
noun
- criminal law the dishonest taking of property belonging to another person with the intention of depriving the owner permanently of its possession
- rare.something stolen
Derived Forms
- ˈٳڳٱ, adjective
Other yvlog Forms
- t·ٳڳ adjective
yvlog History and Origins
yvlog History and Origins
Origin of theft1
Compare Meanings
How does theft compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
The FBI issued a formal warning to sports leagues in December about organized theft groups targeting professional athletes.
An officer unleashed the K-9 on the man wanted in connection with the theft of alcohol from a local grocery store, according to court documents.
A man said carrying out unpaid work after being convicted of theft was an opportunity for him to give back to his community.
“They’ll persuade you to grant remote access to your computer or to pay for unnecessary software or services, which could lead to serious financial loss and potential identity theft,” Nicoletti said.
That is something many people in different parts of Khartoum have said to me - mobile telephones were a lifeline to the outside world, and a prime target for theft by RSF fighters.
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More About Theft
What doestheft mean?
Theft is the act of stealing. An instance of stealing can also be called a theft.
A person who commits theft is called a thief. The word especially refers to a person who steals in secret and without using force or violence.
In general, intentionally taking something that doesn’t belong to you is theft. The word most commonly refers to the stealing of money or physical property, but theft can involve the stealing of other things, such as personal information (which is called identity theft).
The word theft often refers to a case in which a thief steals something without anyone noticing, at least not when the theft is taking place. In contrast, a case in which a person who steals by using force, violence, or threats of force or violence would more likely be called a robbery. Still, the word theft is used generally to refer to any case of something being stolen. In this way, a robbery is a kind of theft.
Most instances of theft are crimes, but the word can be used to refer to an instance of stealing that wouldn’t get a person arrested. You might call it theft when your sibling steals a cookie from your plate, for example.
A legal term for some kinds of theft is larceny. The word thievery can mean the same thing as theft, but it typically refers to the practice of stealing—thieves lead a life of thievery.
Example: I don’t care that he only stole a few things—it’s still theft.
Where doestheft come from?
The first records of the word theft come from before the year 900. It comes from the Old English ٳŧǴڳٳ.
There is no shortage of ways to commit theft. and many of them have a specific name. Petty theft typically involves the habitually stealing of small-time items. Shoplifting is the stealing of products from retail stores. Some thieves steal valuable items. Art theft, jewel theft, and car theft are central to the plot of many movies and shows. Pickpocketing is the theft of things, such as wallets or watches, directly from people’s pockets or from their body.
Burglary involves the theft of valuables from a home or business by breaking in or otherwise unlawfully entering. However, while burglary might be called theft in general, this type of theft is more likely to be labeled as robbery, since it also involves trespassing on someone’s property and invading their space.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to theft?
- antitheft (adjective)
What are some synonyms for theft?
What are some words that share a root or word element with theft?
What are some words that often get used in discussing theft?
How istheft used in real life?
Regardless of what they’re thought to have stolen, accusing a person of theft is serious.
"There is a well-known historical correlation between unemployment and theft,” he said, a connection that is more entrenched in the United States than in countries with more robust safety nets like Canada and Australia."
— A Shady Dame From Seville (@SorayaMcDonald)
Soaring car theft in NYC sees return of The Club
— New York Post (@nypost)
If you are not actively protecting yourself from identity theft, now is the time to start!
— Michiana Family Insurance (@MfiInsurance)
Try usingtheft!
Which of the following actions could be considered a case of theft?
A. shoplifting
B. pickpocketing
C. stealing someone’s idea
D. all of the above
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