kleptomania

or clep·to·ma·ni·a

[ klep-tuh-mey-nee-uh, -meyn-yuh ]

noun

, Psychology.

1. an irresistible impulse to steal, stemming from emotional disturbance rather than economic need.

kleptomania

/ ˌklɛptəʊˈmeɪnɪə /

noun

1. psychol a strong impulse to steal, esp when there is no obvious motivation

kleptomania

1. A compulsion to steal, usually without either economic need or personal desire.

Derived Forms

• ˌkleptoˈmaniˌac, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kleptomania¹

1820–30; klepto- (combining form of Greek kléptēs thief ) + -mania

Word History and Origins

Origin of kleptomania¹

C19: klepto- from Greek kleptēs thief, from kleptein to steal + -mania

Example Sentences

In the first part, he writes, “I’m not going to come out of the whole thing smelling of roses,” before detailing the rampant kleptomania of his late teens and his sex addictions.

From New York Times

Bunny had had a mild tendency towards kleptomania, and was apt to pocket any small, valueless articles that caught his eye—nail clippers, buttons, spools of tape.

From Literature

The play takes the time to introduce their respective demons — alcoholism, kleptomania and violence, among them — then moves on with little resolution.

From Washington Post

She lost several jobs over greedy business negotiations for perks, and even had bouts of kleptomania.

From Washington Times

The judge said a diagnosis of kleptomania is not “a license to steal.”

From Washington Times