noun
larceny
LAH-suhn-ee
Larceny (noun) means the crime of unlawfully taking someone else's property with the intent to keep it permanently. Example: “He was charged with grand larceny after stealing the car.”
noun
1
The crime of unlawfully taking someone else's property with the intent to keep it permanently.
"He was charged with grand larceny after stealing the car."
"Petty larceny usually involves items of relatively low value."
How to use larceny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA legal term for theft — taking someone's property without permission and meaning to keep it.
When to use it
Mainly used in legal and news contexts rather than everyday speech, where "theft" or "stealing" is more common.
Common pairings
grand larceny
petty larceny
charged with larceny
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Word forms
- Plural
- larcenies
Fill the gap
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He was charged with grand _____ after stealing the car.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman larcin ("theft"), ultimately from Latin latro, "robber" or "mercenary."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for larceny
See all rhymes for larceny →Frequently asked questions
What does “larceny” mean?
The word “larceny” means the crime of unlawfully taking someone else's property with the intent to keep it permanently. In plain terms, a legal term for theft — taking someone's property without permission and meaning to keep it.
How do you pronounce “larceny”?
“Larceny” is pronounced LAH-suhn-ee (/ˈlɑɹ.sə.ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “larceny” in a sentence?
Here is “larceny” used in a sentence: “He was charged with grand larceny after stealing the car.”
What part of speech is “larceny”?
“Larceny” is a noun.
Where does the word “larceny” come from?
The word “larceny” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman larcin ("theft"), ultimately from Latin latro, "robber" or "mercenary.".
