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thieve
[ theev ]
verb (used with object)
- to take by theft; steal.
verb (used without object)
- to act as a thief; commit theft; steal.
thieve
/ θː /
verb
- to steal (someone's possessions)
Derived Forms
- ˈٳ𱹱, noun
Other Word Forms
- ٳiԲ· adverb
- dzܳt𱹱 verb (used with object) outthieved outthieving
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of thieve1
Example Sentences
Nick is bedeviled by his thieving foes, fascinated by them, and now has nothing to lose.
“Learn how to thieve constructively — for the struggle,” Colin scolds him when Tony is naïvely caught up in a bungled shoplifting caper.
Milei, who ran against “thieving politicians,” has run into resistance from Argentina’s combustible Congress, which he calls “the rat’s nest.”
Despite its ethereal vibe, “Riddle of Fire” has minor flares of violence and a central trio who curse, drink and thieve with some regularity.
She plays a thieving fox whom Po apprehends stealing relics.
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More About Thieve
doesthieve mean?
To thieve is to steal—to commit theft.
A person who thieves is a thief. The words thief and theft are often used in situations in which a person steals in secret and without using force or violence. However, the word thieve is used in the context of all kinds of thefts, even violent ones. Thieve often implies that such thieving is done habitually or as part of a criminal lifestyle.
The related word thievery can mean the same thing as theft, but it typically refers to the practice of thieving—thieves lead a life of thieving and thievery.
Thieve is sometimes followed by the thing that will be or has been stolen, as in I just realized my kids have been thieving the coins from the fountain.
Thieve should not be confused with a form of the noun thief or its plural, thieves.
Example: He is a pirate, a rogue—he thieves and plunders without remorse.
Where doesthieve come from?
The first records of the word thieve come from before 950. It comes from the Old English ٳŧǴian.
A person who thieves or has a tendency to thieve can be described as thievish or thieving, as in Come back here, you lying, thieving rapscallion! Thieve and related words like thievery and thieving can sometimes sound a bit old-timey, like they’re out of a classic adventure novel.
Did you know ... ?
are some other forms related to thieve?
are some synonyms for thieve?
are some words that share a root or word element with thieve?
are some words that often get used in discussing thieve?
How isthieve used in real life?
Thieve is not commonly used. When it is, it often implies that the person doing the thieving does so as part of leading a life of crime.
Talking to my dad about family history: seems my great-great-great grandfather was a bigamist and also the leader of a gang during the Civil War that robbed, thieved and murdered. Yes, I come from good Appalachian stock
— 🌹i am a flower (@ShineALightRose)
My car was thieved and they took my big stockpile of car snacks, some quarters, a crystal, sunglasses and used my credit card to buy $300 in groceries.
I feel pretty good with this.
— jolyn janis (@jolynjanis)
Yup. Ben’s point is caucuses are operationally challenging. Your point is a bunch of thieves thieved and Iowa Dems badly mishandled the problem in a way that undermined electoral legitimacy. No disagreement among any of us.
— Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller)
Try usingthieve!
Which of the following actions could be considered a case of thieving?
A. shoplifting
B. pickpocketing
C. bank robbery
D. all of the above
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