larcenous

[ lahr-suh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. of, resembling, or characteristic of larceny.
2. guilty of larceny.

Other Words From

• larce·nous·ly adverb
• non·larce·nous adjective
• un·larce·nous adjective
• un·larce·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of larcenous¹

First recorded in 1735–45; larcen(y) + -ous

Example Sentences

Finally, however, the lively and amiable spirit of the endeavor converts our inner curmudgeon just as the spirit of Christmas eventually overpowered that larcenous Grinch, played by Jim Carrey.

From Los Angeles Times

Above and beyond is Bonnie Milligan, portraying Pattie’s larcenous sister Debra, a woman of no known address but who might be elected president if she could redirect that cyclonic energy away from antisocial impulses.

From Washington Post

Mr. Wolf, the lupine leader of the larcenous critters at the center of the delightful animated comedy “The Bad Guys,” knows whereof he speaks.

From Seattle Times

Targeting these larcenous T cells could open the door to new MS therapies with fewer side effects.

From Science Magazine

You have to look at footnote information — provenance citations in object labels — to learn of this larcenous history.

From New York Times

Related Words

• crooked
• rapacious