Meaning & Definition of word "Stealing"

Stealing

/ˈstiːlɪŋ/

noun:

  • 1. the act of stealing; theft.
    • Example: The store implemented new measures to prevent stealing.
  • 2. something that has been stolen.
    • Example: The police recovered several items of stealing during their investigation.

verb:

  • 1. the act of taking someone else's property without permission or legal right.
    • Example: Stealing is a serious crime that can lead to imprisonment.
  • 2. to take (something) unlawfully or without the owner's consent.
    • Example: He was caught stealing a bicycle from the sidewalk.
  • 3. to take away or remove in a sneaky or surreptitious manner.
    • Example: The playful kitten was stealing my socks from the laundry basket.

Etymology

From Old English 'stelan', meaning 'to steal'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

caught in the act:

Discovered while committing a wrongdoing.

steal someone's thunder:

To take credit for someone else's idea or actions.

stealing kisses:

To kiss someone secretly or without their full knowledge.

Related Words

thief:

A person who steals.

larceny:

The legal term for theft.

robbery:

Taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force.

Slang Meanings of stealing

Meaning: Boosting

Example Sentence: He was boosting clothes from the store.

Meaning: Nick

Example Sentence: She nicked a candy from the jar.

Meaning: Swipe

Example Sentence: I swiped a couple of pens from the office.