# stealing

/ˈstiɫɪŋ/ (US) · /stˈiːlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stealing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the act of theft

noun · CEFR A2

the act of taking something that belongs to someone else without their permission.

For teachers: the action of taking another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.

- The shop had cameras everywhere to prevent people from stealing.
- The defendant was charged with the stealing of several high-value electronics from the warehouse over a period of six months.

### 3. stolen goods

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

items that have been stolen from someone.

For teachers: the property or goods obtained through theft. This sense is largely archaic and typically appears in historical or legal contexts.

- The thieves hid their stealing in a secret cave in the woods.
- The constable discovered the hidden stealing beneath the floorboards of the abandoned cottage, identifying several items reported missing by the local gentry.

## Examples

- Stealing is a serious crime in every country.
- The store manager installed security cameras to prevent the stealing of expensive electronics during busy hours.
- While some philosophers argue that stealing food to survive is morally defensible, the legal system generally treats the act as a violation of property rights regardless of the perpetrator's motive.

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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.