embezzle

em·bez·zle

verb \im-ˈbe-zəl, em-\

em·bez·zledem·bez·zling\-(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of EMBEZZLE

transitive verb

: to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use <embezzled thousands of dollars>

— em·bez·zle·ment \-zəl-mənt\ noun

— em·bez·zler \-z(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of EMBEZZLE

1. He was caught embezzling money from his clients.
2. He was convicted of embezzling.

Origin of EMBEZZLE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi