steal

[ steel ]

verb (used with object)

, stole, sto·len, steal·ing.

1. to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force:

   A pickpocket stole his watch.

2. to appropriate (ideas, credit, words, etc.) without right or acknowledgment.
3. to take, get, or win insidiously, surreptitiously, subtly, or by chance:

   He stole my girlfriend.

4. to move, bring, convey, or put secretly or quietly; smuggle (usually followed by away, from, in, into, etc.):

   They stole the bicycle into the bedroom to surprise the child.

5. Baseball. (of a base runner) to gain (a base) without the help of a walk or batted ball, as by running to it during the delivery of a pitch.
6. Games. to gain (a point, advantage, etc.) by strategy, chance, or luck.
7. to gain or seize more than one's share of attention in, as by giving a superior performance:

   The comedian stole the show.

verb (used without object)

, stole, sto·len, steal·ing.

1. to commit or practice theft.
2. to move, go, or come secretly, quietly, or unobserved:

   She stole out of the house at midnight.

3. to pass, happen, etc., imperceptibly, gently, or gradually:

   The years steal by.

4. Baseball. (of a base runner) to advance a base without the help of a walk or batted ball.

noun

1. Informal. an act of stealing; theft.
2. Informal. the thing stolen; booty.
3. Informal. something acquired at a cost far below its real value; bargain:

   This dress is a steal at $40.

4. Baseball. the act of advancing a base by stealing.

steal

/ stiːl /

verb

1. to take (something) from someone, etc without permission or unlawfully, esp in a secret manner
2. tr to obtain surreptitiously
3. tr to appropriate (ideas, etc) without acknowledgment, as in plagiarism
4. to move or convey stealthily

   they stole along the corridor

5. intr to pass unnoticed

   the hours stole by

6. tr to win or gain by strategy or luck, as in various sports

   to steal a few yards

7. steal a march on
   to obtain an advantage over, esp by a secret or underhand measure
8. steal someone's thunder
   to detract from the attention due to another by forestalling him
9. steal the show
   to be looked upon as the most interesting, popular, etc, esp unexpectedly

noun

1. the act of stealing
2. something stolen or acquired easily or at little cost

Other Words From

• steala·ble adjective
• stealer noun
• non·steala·ble adjective
• outsteal verb (used with object) outstole outstolen outstealing

Word History and Origins

Origin of steal¹

First recorded before 900; 1860–65 steal fordef 5; Middle English stelen, Old English stelan; cognate with German stehlen, Old Norse stela, Gothic stilan

Word History and Origins

Origin of steal¹

Old English stelan ; related to Old Frisian, Old Norse stela Gothic stilan , German stehlen

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. steal someone's thunder, to appropriate or use another's idea, plan, words, etc.

Example Sentences

"We need to see decisive action to end such practices and respectfully repatriate stolen remains to their rightful resting places," she said.

From BBC

When a robber bent down to grab stolen money, his hoodie rode up to reveal a star tattoo on his lower back — a marking that became a major focus during a trial this month.

From Los Angeles Times

The Lakers believe they got a steal with the 17th overall pick in the draft in Dalton Knecht, who has provided a big impact when getting to start.

From Los Angeles Times

“We try to raise awareness, but in the end it's either the settlers steal the olives or cut the trees, or they remain unpicked and go to waste.”

From BBC

Police in Georgia have clashed with demonstrators in the centre of the capital Tbilisi protesting against last month's disputed election which they say was stolen by the government.

From BBC

Related Words

• abduct
• divert
• embezzle
• keep
• kidnap
• loot
• pilfer
• plunder
• ransack
• remove
• strip
• swipe
• take