burglar
- 01 B1 Intermediate
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.
Simple“The burglar entered through a back window while the family was away on holiday.”
In context“Police believe the burglar targeted the property because the lack of security lighting made the side entrance vulnerable to intrusion.”
PitfallThe 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.
- 02 C1 Advanced
v.to enter a building illegally to steal things.
v.to commit the act of burglary; to break into a premises with criminal intent.
Simple“The thieves tried to burglar the warehouse, but the alarm went off immediately.”
In context“He was caught attempting to burglar a high-end electronics store in the early hours of the morning.”
UsageIn British English, 'burgle' is the standard verb; 'burglar' as a verb is more common in American English or informal speech.
Synonymsburglerob
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.