burglar
BURG-luh
Burglar (noun) means a person who breaks into a building to steal. Example: “A burglar broke a window and took the jewelry box.”
noun
1
A person who breaks into a building to steal.
"The burglar made off with a large diamond from the museum."
"A burglar broke a window and took the jewelry box."
"The alarm scared off the burglar before he reached the safe."
"There’s good reason to worry. In an earlier memoir, “Five-Finger Discount,” Stapinski recreated the terrifying world of swindlers, embezzlers, burglars and mobster wannabes who made up her extended Jersey City family."
— Max Byrd, A Trip to Southern Italy to Shed Light on a Family Scandal (2017)
How to use burglar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who breaks into a home or building to steal things.
Common mistake
A burglar breaks in to steal; a robber typically uses force or threats against a person directly.
Common pairings
catch a burglar
burglar alarm
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Word forms
- Plural
- burglars
- Third person singular
- burglars
- Past tense
- burglared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ broke a window and took the jewelry box.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin burglator, related to Late Latin burgus ("fortified town") — an extra "l" crept in, likely influenced by Latin latro ("thief").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “burglar” mean?
The word “burglar” means a person who breaks into a building to steal. In plain terms, someone who breaks into a home or building to steal things.
How do you pronounce “burglar”?
“Burglar” is pronounced BURG-luh (/ˈbɝɡlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “burglar” in a sentence?
Here is “burglar” used in a sentence: “A burglar broke a window and took the jewelry box.”
What part of speech is “burglar”?
“Burglar” is a noun.
Where does the word “burglar” come from?
The word “burglar” comes from Late Latin. From Medieval Latin burglator, related to Late Latin burgus ("fortified town") — an extra "l" crept in, likely influenced by Latin latro ("thief").
Is “burglar” a common word?
“Burglar” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
