embezzle

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

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

He was caught embezzling money from his clients.

He was convicted of embezzling.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rauls is doing time for embezzling Social Security Disability checks. —CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

Hulu’s depiction of Alex Murdaugh’s engagement in extensive financial fraud – including embezzling funds from his own law firm, misappropriating client money and committing insurance fraud – are well-documented and formed a key part of the investigations leading up to his criminal trials. —Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025

During the volatile era after Nigeria’s independence, his father, a bank auditor about to reveal evidence of embezzling, was murdered, with a pickaxe, by men who stormed the family’s house in the middle of the night. —Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2025

Investigators last week alleged about $100 million was embezzled in a kickback scheme involving Ukrainian elites, including Zelenskyy’s former business partner. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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