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

Last week, Side eYe's newest production "Desperate Times", the story of a Muslim teacher, who tangles herself in an hilarious web of lies to try to conceal her kleptomania, played to full houses at the Somali Week festival, organised by the Kayd Somali Arts and Culture organisation in east London.

From Reuters

Other exceptions included kleptomania, pedophilia and pyromania.

From Washington Post

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

The reason for this outbreak of Hollywood kleptomania is that a few days before in New York at the Gotham Awards, Gyllenhaal had, on Colman's behalf, collected her outstanding performance award for the film The Lost Daughter, which Gyllenhaal wrote and directed.

From BBC

The reason for this outbreak of Hollywood kleptomania is that a few days before in New York at the Gotham Awards, Gyllenhaal had, on Colman's behalf, collected her outstanding performance award for the film The Lost Daughter, which Gyllenhaal wrote and directed.

From BBC