Word
shoplifting
Phoneticsshoplift·ing
US/ˈʃɑˌpɫɪftɪŋ/
UK/ʃˈɒplɪftɪŋ/
Definition
n. the act of stealing goods from a store without paying for them. It is a crime that happens when someone takes items and leaves without paying.
n. the act of stealing goods from a retail establishment without paying for them. Often used in legal contexts to distinguish the crime from other forms of theft.
Examples
“The shoplifting alarm went off as the customer walked out.”
“The store installed new cameras to catch shoplifting and protect its inventory from loss.”
“While shoplifting is often viewed as a minor offense by the public, it represents a significant financial burden for retailers, leading to increased prices for honest customers.”
Examples
simple
“The shoplifting alarm went off as the customer walked out.”
contextual
“The store installed new cameras to catch shoplifting and protect its inventory from loss.”
complex
“While shoplifting is often viewed as a minor offense by the public, it represents a significant financial burden for retailers, leading to increased prices for honest customers.”
Real-World Examples
“The number of shoplifting offences recorded in England and Wales in 2025-26 is still above pre-pandemic levels.” “We asked police about the 10 suspects their forces had most often linked to shoplifting offences between 2020-21 and 2025-26.” Etymology
By surface analysis, shoplift + -ing. The noun sense (from 1690) predates the verb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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