Word
burglar
Phoneticsbur·glar, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbɝɡɫɝ/
UK/bˈɜːɡlɐ/
Definitions
01a thief who breaks in
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Law
n. someone who enters a house or building illegally to steal something.
n. a person who enters a building or premises unlawfully with the intent to commit a felony, most commonly theft.
“The burglar entered through a back window while the family was away on holiday.”
“Police believe the burglar targeted the property because the lack of security lighting made the side entrance vulnerable to intrusion.”
Pitfall
The burglar robbed the television from my house.
The burglar stole the television from my house.
You rob a person or a place, but you steal an object.
02to break in and steal
C1 · Advanced Informal
v. to enter a building illegally to steal things.
v. to commit the act of burglary; to break into a premises with criminal intent.
“The thieves tried to burglar the warehouse, but the alarm went off immediately.”
“He was caught attempting to burglar a high-end electronics store in the early hours of the morning.”
Usage
In British English, 'burgle' is the standard verb; 'burglar' as a verb is more common in American English or informal speech.
Synonyms
Etymology
16th century, from Medieval Latin burglātor, British byform of burgātor (“burglar”), derived from burgō (“to commit burglary”), from Late Latin burgus (“fortified town”), itself probably from Frankish burg (“fortress”), from Proto-Germanic burgz, *burgiją (“borough, watch-tower”). The -l- in burglātor may have been inserted under influence from Latin latro (“thief”). The shortened English form may have arisen through confluence with Old French burgeor (“burglar”), itself from the same Latin source.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. time burglar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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