kleptomaniac — a person who has an irresistible urge to steal items that they do not need and that usually have little value
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person who has an irresistible urge to steal items that they do not need and that usually have little value
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkleptəmeɪniæk/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother turned out to be a kleptomaniac - we found 47 hotel towels in her closet!
- The kleptomaniac's shopping cart was full, but she hadn't paid for anything.
- He realized he was a kleptomaniac when his house filled up with stolen sugar packets from restaurants.
kleptomaniac
NOUN[/ˈkleptəmeɪniæk/]
a person who has an irresistible urge to steal items that they do not need and that usually have little value
a person who has an irresistible urge to steal items that they do not need and that usually have little value
The kleptomaniac's cardiac beats like a maniac!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Greek klepto- (from kleptein, 'to steal') combined with -mania (from mania, 'madness' or 'obsession'). The term was formed to describe a person compulsively driven to steal, literally 'one seized by a stealing madness'.
Breakdown
klepto- (from Greek kleptein, 'to steal') + -mania (from Greek mania, 'madness, obsession') + -ac (suffix denoting 'a person affected by'). Together: 'a person compelled to steal by an irresistible impulse'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother turned out to be a kleptomaniac - we found 47 hotel towels in her closet!”
“The kleptomaniac's shopping cart was full, but she hadn't paid for anything.”
“He realized he was a kleptomaniac when his house filled up with stolen sugar packets from restaurants.”
“The therapy helped the kleptomaniac overcome her compulsive stealing habits.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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