noun

embezzlement

ihm-BEH-zuhl-muhnt

noun

The crime of secretly stealing money or property that was entrusted to your care, usually by an employee from an employer.

"The accountant was jailed for embezzlement after diverting company funds into a personal account."

"The charity collapsed following a scandal involving embezzlement by its treasurer."

How to Use Embezzlement

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishStealing money you were trusted to look after, typically at work.

Common mistake

Embezzlement specifically involves money or property already in your care — it is different from theft of something that was never entrusted to you.

Common pairings

charged with embezzlement convicted of embezzlement embezzlement of funds

embezzlements plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The accountant was jailed for _____ after diverting company funds into a personal account.

From embezzle plus the noun-forming suffix -ment.

cement element clement pavement tenement amusement statement agreement excrement amazement atonement implement