robbery
RO-buh-ree
Robbery (noun) means the crime of taking property from someone by force or threat. Example: “The shop owner reported the robbery to the police straight away.”
noun
1
The crime of taking property from someone by force or threat.
"The shop owner reported the robbery to the police straight away."
"Witnesses described the bank robbery to detectives."
"The gang was arrested for a string of armed robberies."
2
An instance of being blatantly overcharged, used loosely and humorously.
"Charging that much for a bottle of water is highway robbery!"
"We thought the parking fee was pure robbery."
"Ten pounds for a coffee? That's daylight robbery."
How to use robbery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe crime of stealing by force, or informally, being ripped off.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
armed robbery
daylight robbery
commit robbery
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Word forms
- Plural
- robberies
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The shop owner reported the _____ to the police straight away.
Etymology
From Old French roberie, built on "rob" plus a noun-forming suffix.
Related words
Rhymes for robbery
See all rhymes for robbery →Frequently asked questions
What does “robbery” mean?
The word “robbery” means the crime of taking property from someone by force or threat. In plain terms, the crime of stealing by force, or informally, being ripped off.
How do you pronounce “robbery”?
“Robbery” is pronounced RO-buh-ree (/ˈɹɑbəɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “robbery” in a sentence?
Here is “robbery” used in a sentence: “Ten pounds for a coffee? That's daylight robbery.”
What part of speech is “robbery”?
“Robbery” is a noun.
Where does the word “robbery” come from?
The word “robbery” comes from Old French. From Old French roberie, built on "rob" plus a noun-forming suffix.
Is “robbery” a common word?
“Robbery” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “robbery” have?
“Robbery” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the crime of taking property from someone by force or threat.
What is the difference between robbery and theft?
Robbery is taking property directly from someone by force or the threat of force, so a victim is confronted. Theft is the broader term for taking property without permission and does not require force. All robbery is theft, but not all theft is robbery.
What is the difference between robbery and burglary?
Robbery involves taking property from a person using force or threats. Burglary is unlawfully entering a building, typically to commit a crime such as stealing, and often happens when no one is present. The key difference is force against a person versus unlawful entry into a place.
What is armed robbery?
Armed robbery is robbery carried out with a weapon, such as a gun or knife, used to threaten the victim. It is treated as more serious than robbery without a weapon because of the added danger.
