shoplift

verb

shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift 

shoplifted; shoplifting; shoplifts

intransitive verb

: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store

Examples of shoplift in a Sentence

The manager saw the kids shoplift and called the police.

The kids shoplifted candy from the store.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two Ohio men accused of shoplifting from a Kroger were pulled over by Miami Township police on July 27, and one of them, later identified as Kaamil O'Berry, bolted from the car and fled on foot, according to WKRC. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Former Sacramento Kings guard Ty Lawson allegedly hurled racial insults at police after being arrested for shoplifting. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026

Milton had originally been caught shoplifting about $55 worth of merchandise from an Uptown Walgreens in late April and was released on electronic monitoring, court records show. — Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2026

Crump said the child was killed after police were called to a Walmart parking lot about diapers that may have been shoplifted. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from shoplifter

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for shoplift

• adrift
• airlift
• facelift
• festschrift
• forklift
• gearshift
• makeshift
• redshift
• sealift
• snowdrift
• spendthrift
• clift

Kids Definition

shoplift

verb

shop·​lift -ˌlift 

: to steal merchandise on display in stores

Legal Definition

shoplift

intransitive verb

shop·​lift ˈshäp-ˌlift 

: to steal displayed goods from a store

transitive verb

: to steal (displayed goods) from a store