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

Less than a month later, video surveillance caught her shoplifting $65 of jewelry at a sporting goods store. — Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Stewart remains in custody at the Fulton County Jail on three misdemeanor theft by shoplifting charges. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

That is not saying that her kids are terrible, lazy, ugly, addicted to TikTok, or caught shoplifting at Brandy Melville. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Some of the children were getting into fights at school; others were shoplifting and drinking. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 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