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Synonyms

burglar

American  
[bur-gler] / ˈbɜr glər /

noun

  1. a person who commits burglary.


burglar British  
/ ˈbɜːɡlə /

noun

  1. a person who commits burglary; housebreaker

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of burglar

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His mother “worked as a receptionist at a burglar alarm company—one of the few growth industries in the neighborhood” during the early 1960s.

From The Wall Street Journal

The government also plans to introduce legislation which would mean more burglars, thieves and domestic abusers would face GPS and alcohol monitoring - using ankle tags - in what ministers describe as a £100m crackdown on crime.

From BBC

He told some people Bethan had run out of their home chasing burglars, while he told others she was knocked over while taking rubbish out.

From BBC

The heist must have taken place some time between Saturday 27 and Monday 29 December, according to officials, who think the burglars may almost have been caught shortly before reaching the vault.

From BBC

Prosecutors suggested that because the burglars did not simply steal expensive items and implied they had intended to target the celebrities personally.

From BBC