noun
thief
THEEF
noun
1
A person who steals something, typically without using force or confrontation.
"A thief broke in through the back window while they were asleep."
"The store hired security guards to catch shoplifting thieves."
How to Use Thief
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who takes things that don't belong to them.
Common mistake
A thief typically steals by stealth or trickery; a robber usually uses force or the threat of it — the two words aren't perfectly interchangeable.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
catch a thief
petty thief
thief in the night
Word Forms
thieves plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “thief”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ broke in through the back window while they were asleep.
Etymology
From Old English þēof, an ancient Germanic word for someone who steals.