Pronunciation

/θiːf/

Definitions

Noun

A thief is a person who steals or commits theft. They take something that does not belong to them without permission.

Verb (Infrequent)

To steal or commit theft, often with a sense of illicitness or criminal activity.

Phrases

• “Caught the thief in the act”
• “Theft prevention measures”
• “A career as a professional thief”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The police were chasing after the notorious art thief.”
• Infrequent Verb: “The thief slipped out of the house without being detected.”
• “The victim reported their wallet to the police after discovering it had been stolen by a thief.”

Synonyms

• Burglar
• Robber -盗贼 (dào zéi) (Chinese)
• Ladnýk (Czech)
• Dieb (German)
• Ladrón (Spanish)
• Vandal (informal)
• Pickpocket (specifically for small thefts)

Antonyms

• Owner
• Innocent
• Law-abiding citizen