thief

thief — noun

1. a person who secretly takes someone else's money or possessions without permissi

1.nounB1
Definition

a person who secretly takes someone else's money or possessions without permission, usually planning to keep or sell what they have taken

Example

Hamza caught the thief who had been stealing packages from doorsteps.

collocation: catch a thief

Sana's phone was taken by a thief on the crowded train.

Common collocations
  • catch a thief
  • convicted thief
  • petty thief
  • a thief steals
  • known thief
Synonyms
  • robber

    steals using force or threats, not secretly

  • burglar

    breaks into buildings to steal, usually at night

  • pickpocket

    steals from people's pockets or bags in public places

Common Mistakes

The robber stole my wallet on the bus.' (when no force or threat was used).
The thief stole my wallet on the bus.
'robber' implies violence or intimidation, while 'thief' covers secret or stealthy stealing.
Idioms

(there is) honour among thieves

idiom

This phrase means that even people who do bad things follow their own rules of loyalty and fairness.

Maya trusted her partner because she believed there is honour among thieves.

Do you think there is honour among thieves in that criminal group?

(as) thick as thieves

idiom

This phrase describes two people who are very close friends, often in a way that makes others suspicious.

Sara and Diego have been as thick as thieves since kindergarten.

The two executives were thick as thieves, always whispering in corners.

Word family

  • thieve
    verbC1
  • thievery
    nounC2
  • thieving
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe someone who takes what does not belong to them, but they differ in method and setting. A 'thief' is the most general term — anyone who steals, whether secretly or by trick. A 'robber' uses or threatens violence (e.g. 'The robber demanded money at gunpoint'). A 'burglar' breaks into a building, especially at night, to steal (e.g. 'The burglar entered through a broken window'). A 'pickpocket' steals from people's pockets or bags in crowded public spaces (e.g. 'A pickpocket took his wallet on the subway'). Use 'thief' when you do not know the method, or when the stealing is done secretly rather than by force.

robber ↗burglar ↗pickpocket

Common collocations

Phrases

  • catch a thief
  • a thief in the night

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Thief comes from Old English 'þēof', which goes back to a Proto-Germanic root '*þeubaz' meaning 'to steal'. Related words exist in many Germanic languages — Old Norse 'þjófr', Old High German 'diob', and Gothic 'þiufs'. The spelling and pronunciation have changed over a thousand years, but the meaning has stayed the same.