noun
pickpocket
PIHK-po-kiht
Pickpocket (noun) means a thief who steals from people's pockets or bags, typically in crowded places, without being noticed. Example: “Tourists were warned to watch out for pickpockets in the market.”
noun
1
A thief who steals from people's pockets or bags, typically in crowded places, without being noticed.
"Tourists were warned to watch out for pickpockets in the market."
"The pickpocket vanished into the crowd before anyone noticed."
verb
1
To steal from someone's pocket in this way.
"He was arrested after trying to pickpocket a passerby."
How to use pickpocket
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who steals from pockets in crowds, or the act of doing so.
Common pairings
watch for pickpockets
a skilled pickpocket
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Word forms
- Plural
- pickpockets
- Third person singular
- pickpockets
- Past tense
- pickpocketed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Tourists were warned to watch out for _____ in the market.
Etymology
A compound of pick (in the old sense "to steal, pilfer") and pocket.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pickpocket
See all rhymes for pickpocket →Frequently asked questions
What does “pickpocket” mean?
The word “pickpocket” means a thief who steals from people's pockets or bags, typically in crowded places, without being noticed. In plain terms, someone who steals from pockets in crowds, or the act of doing so.
How do you pronounce “pickpocket”?
“Pickpocket” is pronounced PIHK-po-kiht (/ˈpɪkpɒkɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “pickpocket” in a sentence?
Here is “pickpocket” used in a sentence: “Tourists were warned to watch out for pickpockets in the market.”
What part of speech is “pickpocket”?
Depending on how it is used, “pickpocket” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “pickpocket” have?
“Pickpocket” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thief who steals from people's pockets or bags, typically in crowded places, without being noticed.
