Street
fence
What does fence mean?
A fence is a dealer who buys stolen property from thieves and resells it, providing criminals a way to convert loot into cash. As a verb, to 'fence' goods is to sell them this way.
"Every thief in the district knew which pawnshop owner would fence a hot ring."
Origin
British thieves' cant, late 17th century; from the idea of a 'defence' or screen between thief and buyer.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'fence' mean in crime slang?
A fence is a person who buys stolen goods from thieves and resells them, giving criminals a way to turn loot into cash. As a verb, to fence something is to sell it through such a dealer.
Where does the word come from?
It comes from British thieves' cant of the late 17th century, from the idea of a 'defence' or screen standing between the thief and the eventual buyer.
Is fencing illegal?
Yes. Knowingly buying and reselling stolen property is a crime, and fences are a key link in the chain that makes theft profitable.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
