B2noun3K

Theft

UK /["/θeft/"]/US /["/θeft/"]/

Definition

the crime of stealing something from a person or place

In simple words: Stealing something that doesn't belong to you.

Examples

  • car theft
  • Police are investigating the theft of computers from the company's offices.
  • A number of thefts have been reported recently.
  • She admitted the theft of three pairs of shoes.
  • They are accused of theft from a newsagent's shop.
  • a spate of thefts over the Christmas period
  • the crime of attempted theft
  • the wholesale theft of copyrighted music

Usage notes

Used in legal contexts or discussions about crime. Avoid using it in casual conversations unless discussing legal matters. 'Robbery' is often confused with 'theft' but they have different meanings.

Grammar pattern

theft + of + object

Memory hint

Think of 'theft' as 'thief's act' — imagine a thief sneaking in the night.

Collocations

  • petty
  • grand
  • attempted
  • series
  • spate
  • string
  • theft from
  • theft of

Synonyms

  • stealing
  • larceny
  • burglary
  • robbery
  • theft crime

Antonyms

  • honesty
  • integrity
  • trustworthiness

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'steal' as they are different parts of speech.
  • Using 'theft' to describe loss without direct connection to theft (e.g., 'theft of money lost').
  • Overusing in informal contexts where words like 'steal' might be more appropriate.