# burglar

/ˈbɝɡɫɝ/ (US) · /bˈɜːɡlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/burglar
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a thief who breaks in

noun · CEFR B1

someone who enters a house or building illegally to steal something.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to break in and steal

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to enter a building illegally to steal things.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- A burglar stole the silver from the kitchen.
- The burglar climbed through the open window while the family slept upstairs.
- The burglar moved silently through the darkened hallway, careful not to trigger the motion sensors installed by the homeowners.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.