burglar

[ bur-gler ]

noun

1. a person who commits burglary.

burglar

/ ˈbɜːɡlə /

noun

1. a person who commits burglary; housebreaker

Word History and Origins

Origin of burglar¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French burgler (compare Anglo-Latin burg(u)lātor ), perhaps from unattested Old French borgl(er) “to plunder, pillage” (from unattested Gallo-Romance būriculāre, equivalent to unattested būric(āre) (unattested Old Low Franconian būrj(an) “to dart at, pounce upon” + unattested Vulgar Latin -icāre verb suffix; compare Old French burgier “to strike, hit”) + -ulāre verb suffix) + Anglo-French -er -er ²; -ar ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of burglar¹

C15: from Anglo-French burgler , from Medieval Latin burglātor , probably from burgāre to thieve, from Latin burgus castle, fortress, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

A burglar who attempted to evade capture by police by swimming across a lake has been jailed.

From BBC

Officials are investigating a Long Beach school safety officer who fired their gun at a suspected burglar on a high school campus Friday morning.

From Los Angeles Times

The weapon was fired during the encounter between the safety officer and the suspected burglar, district officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

He also appeared in guest roles on the original “Matlock” and “MacGyver” and played convicted Watergate burglar Frank Sturgis in the 1976 classic “All the President’s Men.”

From Los Angeles Times

The burglar left her a note saying: "Don't worry, be happy, eat up and scratch."

From BBC

Related Words

• crook
• robber
• thief