ENGLISH
REFERENCE

stealth

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈstɛɫθ// UK //stˈɛlθ// stealth
  1. 1 secrecy of movement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the quality of moving or acting quietly and secretly so that you are not seen or heard.

    the attribute of acting with extreme secrecy or caution to avoid detection. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    The cat used stealth to creep up on the bird without making a sound.

    Example

    The success of the operation depended entirely on stealth, as any premature detection by the guards would have compromised the entire mission.
  2. 2 radar-evading technology (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Aviation

    designed to be very difficult for radar or other sensors to detect.

    relating to technology that reduces the radar cross-section or infrared signature of a vehicle or craft.

    Example

    The military uses stealth aircraft that can fly into enemy territory without being seen on radar.

    Example

    Engineers focused on the unique angular geometry of the stealth bomber to ensure it remained invisible to conventional long-range tracking systems.
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  1. 3 secret or hidden (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    done in a secret way, often without people knowing the true purpose.

    surreptitious or not openly acknowledged; often describes marketing or social behaviors.

    Example

    The company used a stealth marketing campaign by paying people to talk about the product in cafes.

    Example

    The legislation was introduced through a stealth tactic, buried deep within a larger, unrelated budget bill to avoid public debate.
  2. 4 to move secretly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to move very quietly and carefully to avoid being noticed.

    to move or proceed using stealthy maneuvers. Often used intransitively in gaming or tactical contexts.

    Example

    In the video game, you have to stealth past the guards to reach the treasure.

    Example

    The player managed to stealth through the entire level without triggering a single alarm or engaging in combat.
  3. 5 non-consensual condom removal (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Vulgar Law

    to secretly remove a condom during sex without the partner's permission.

    to engage in the act of removing a prophylactic during sexual intercourse without the partner's knowledge or consent.

    Example

    He was arrested after his partner discovered he had decided to stealth her during their encounter.

    Example

    Legal scholars argue that to stealth a partner constitutes a fundamental violation of consent and should be prosecuted as a serious offense.

    Usage

    This is a transitive verb and is considered a criminal offense in many jurisdictions.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a highly sensitive and modern legal term; use with extreme caution as it describes a form of sexual assault.

Origin

From Middle English stelthe, from Old English stǣlþ, from Proto-Germanic stēliþō, to Proto-Germanic stelaną (“to steal, to sneak”) + *-iþō, equivalent to steal + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Compare Old English stalu (“theft, stealth”), Old High German stāla (“theft”), German Diebstahl (“theft”).

Word family

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