embezzle

1 of 2

verb

em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl 

em-

embezzled; embezzling im-ˈbe-zə-liŋ 

-ˈbez-liŋ, 

em-

transitive verb

: to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use

embezzled thousands of dollars

embezzlement

im-ˈbe-zəl-mənt 

em-

noun

embezzler

im-ˈbe-zə-lər 

em-, 

-ˈbez-lər

noun

embezzlement

2 of 2

noun

em·​bez·​zle·​ment -zəlmənt 

plural -s

: the act of embezzling

specifically : fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted (as of an employer's money by his clerk or of public funds by the officer in charge) compare larceny

Did you know?

English is full of verbs that mean “to steal” (such as pilfer, rob, swipe, plunder, filch, and thieve). But when it comes to stealing property (and in this context, money is a kind of property) that has been entrusted to you, embezzle wins the prize. The word most often refers to theft of company or government funds that one has charge of, and embezzlement is therefore a hallmark of white-collar crime—that is, crime committed by so-called white-collar workers. In the 15th century, around the time that embezzlement entered English (the ultimate root is Anglo-French besiller “to steal, plunder”), it would have also been possible to say that such plunderers “bezzled” company cash, but bezzle is now considered obsolete.

Examples of embezzle in a Sentence

Verb

He was caught embezzling money from his clients.

He was convicted of embezzling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Sullivan was hired to take over the conservancy after a crisis developed when its CFO was found to have embezzled millions from the non-profit, was found guilty and is now serving time in jail. —Carol Cain, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Haidar admitted to abusing his position as an assistant branch manager of a Wells Fargo bank to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars, prosecutors said, citing his plea agreement. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 2 June 2026

The court found that Shi used his positions, including as the temple abbot, to illegally embezzle more than $19 million alone or in conspiracy with others, between 2003 and 2025, CCTV reported. —Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Prosecutors allege the defendants conspired to embezzle millions that went toward salary and benefits for no-show jobs, luxury international travel, fine dining, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English embesilen, from Anglo-French embesiller to make away with, from en- + besiller to steal, plunder

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for embezzle

• bezel
• resol

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Kids Definition

embezzle

verb

em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbez-əl 

embezzled; embezzling -(ə-)liŋ 

: to take (property entrusted to one's care) dishonestly for one's own use

embezzled thousands of dollars

embezzlement

-əl-mənt 

noun

embezzler

-(ə-)lər 

noun

Legal Definition

embezzle

transitive verb

em·​bez·​zle im-ˈbe-zəl 

embezzled; embezzling

: to convert (property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use compare defalcate

embezzlement noun

embezzler noun

Etymology

Transitive verb

Anglo-French embeseiller to make away with, from en-, prefix stressing completion + beseller to snatch, misappropriate, from Old French, to destroy