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theftthe action or crime of stealing

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the action or crime of stealing

Pronunciation (IPA): /θeft/

Example Sentences

  • The museum installed new security cameras after the theft of the famous painting.
  • My lunch keeps disappearing from the office fridge - it's clearly a case of sandwich theft!
  • The police arrested three suspects in connection with the jewelry store theft.

theft

NOUN

[/θeft/]

the action or crime of stealing

The thief snatched the woman's purse and sprinted away, committing a theft in broad daylight.
💡 Concept

The thief snatched the woman's purse and sprinted away, committing a theft in broad daylight.

The theft left the empty display case completely bare. (🥷 Steal + 💰 Property → Theft)
🧠 Mnemonic

The theft left the empty display case completely bare. (🥷 Steal + 💰 Property → Theft)

After the theft, only one glove was left, leaving the owner completely bereft.
🎵 Rhyme

After the theft, only one glove was left, leaving the owner completely bereft.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/θeft/
🇬🇧 UK/θeft/

🌳Etymology

Rootthiev-
Suffix--t

Origin

Theft derives from Old English thǣfth, sharing a common Germanic root with the word thief. The term fundamentally expresses the act of taking something secretly or unlawfully, rooted in Proto-Germanic language family.

Breakdown

thief (one who steals) + -th (abstract noun suffix indicating action or state), forming theft as the nominalized act of stealing.

🎵Rhyme

leftcleftdeftbereft
left
cleft
deft
bereft

🔗Collocations

identity theft
car theft
prevent theft
report a theft
theft insurance
grand theft
petty theft

📝Examples

The museum installed new security cameras after the theft of the famous painting.

😄 Fun example

My lunch keeps disappearing from the office fridge - it's clearly a case of sandwich theft!

The police arrested three suspects in connection with the jewelry store theft.

He reported the theft of his smartphone to the insurance company.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

robberyburglarystealinglarcenypilferage

Antonyms

donationgiftreturn

Related

thiefstealburglarcrimesecurity

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