Cool MateBurglary vs Robbery
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Burglary
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Robbery
Beyond 10,000 (less common)B2noun
Most formal: Burglary
| Burglary | Robbery | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈbɜːɡləri//🇺🇸 //ˈbɜrɡləri// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrɒbəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrɑːbəri/"]/ |
| Meaning | The crime of breaking into a building to steal something. | Stealing from someone, usually with force. |
| Example | The police arrested him for burglary after he was caught inside the house. | **armed robbery** *(= using a gun, knife, etc.)* |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | commit burglary, burglary charges, burglary prevention, burglary report | attempted, botched, bungled, commit, take part in, foil, attempt, charge, suspect, robbery with violence |
| Antonyms | - | generosity, donation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'robbery'; burglary specifically involves breaking and entering., Incorrectly using 'burglary' as a verb; it's a noun., Assuming all thefts are classified as burglary. | Confused with 'burglary', which is entering a place to steal when no one is present., Used as a verb; correct form is 'to commit robbery'., Omitting details about the violent aspect of robbery. |
| Usage notes | Used in legal contexts; not commonly used in casual conversation. Avoid using when referring to non-criminal thefts. | Used in legal contexts and general discussions about crime. It's inappropriate in casual conversations or lighthearted contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Burglary vs Robbery
What's the difference between Burglary and Robbery?
Burglary: The crime of breaking into a building to steal something. Robbery: Stealing from someone, usually with force.
Which is more formal: Burglary and Robbery?
Burglary is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Burglary: The police arrested him for burglary after he was caught inside the house. Robbery: **armed robbery** *(= using a gun, knife, etc.)*
Can I use Burglary and Robbery interchangeably?
Not always. Burglary and Robbery are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.