thief
28 synonyms for thief, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who steals something, typically without using force or confrontation.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
pickpocket
pilferer
shoplifter
abstractor
appropriator
bagger
borrower
cribber
faker
flogger
filcher
heister
larcener
larcenist
liberator
lifter
misappropriator
nicker
pincher
purloiner
snitch
stealer
tea leaf
thiever
How to use thief
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
catch a thief
petty thief
thief in the night
Etymology
From Old English þēof, an ancient Germanic word for someone who steals.
Full origin of thief →Frequently asked questions
What does “thief” mean?
The word “thief” means a person who steals something, typically without using force or confrontation. In plain terms, someone who takes things that don't belong to them.
How do you pronounce “thief”?
“Thief” is pronounced THEEF (/ˈθiːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “thief” in a sentence?
Here is “thief” used in a sentence: “A thief broke in through the back window while they were asleep.”
What is another word for “thief”?
Words with a similar meaning to “thief” include abstractor, appropriator, bagger, booster, borrower and cribber.
What part of speech is “thief”?
“Thief” is a noun.
Where does the word “thief” come from?
The word “thief” comes from Old English. From Old English þēof, an ancient Germanic word for someone who steals.
Is “thief” a common word?
“Thief” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a thief and a robber?
A thief takes property secretly and typically without force or confrontation. A robber uses force, threat, or intimidation to take something directly from a person, so all robbers are thieves but not all thieves are robbers.
What is the difference between a thief and a burglar?
A thief is anyone who steals. A burglar is a specific kind of thief who unlawfully enters a building, usually to steal, so burglary adds the element of breaking in.
What is the plural of thief?
The plural of thief is "thieves." The f changes to v before adding -es, following the same pattern as leaf/leaves and knife/knives.
What is the difference between a thief and a shoplifter?
A shoplifter is a thief who specifically steals goods from a shop while posing as a customer. Thief is the general word, while shoplifter names the particular setting and method of the theft.
