burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

also -gə-lər

: one who commits burglary

Examples of burglar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026

Europe’s weak spots While the problem is global, European galleries are particularly enticing for burglars, according to Brand. — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Crash-and-grab burglars targeted a Shell Gas station in Highland Park, Illinois, early Wednesday morning. — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

The burglars dropped the other two paintings—the 1895 Portrait of Madame Pichon and the 1905 Coco Lisant—in the garden of the museum while making their escape. — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French burgler, from Medieval Latin burglator, probably alteration of burgator, from burgare to commit burglary

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing burglar

• anti-burglar
• burglar alarm
• cat burglar

Kids Definition

burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

: a person who commits burglary

Legal Definition

burglar

noun

bur·​glar ˈbər-glər 

: a person who commits a burglary