pickpocket

noun

pick·​pock·​et ˈpik-ˌpä-kət 

: a thief who picks pockets

Examples of pickpocket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Need to Know A police chief and travel agent on Tiktok says to only carry a crossbody bag on vacation in order to avoid becoming a target for pickpockets. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026

The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, costarring Will Price, Tatiana Maslany, Victoria Moroles, Steve Buscemi and Jamie Lee Curtis, follows Turturro’s aging pickpocket and Esposito as the detective on his tail. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026

About 600 police officers are on duty around the festival in addition to Bavarian riot police, specialized pickpocket investigators, and international task forces from eight countries, dpa reported. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

One such ruse, revealed by The Athletic in August 2024, involved a team of pickpockets being hired to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times. — Art De Roché, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pickpocket

• skyrocket
• docket
• locket
• pocket
• rocket
• socket
• sprocket

Kids Definition

pickpocket

noun

pick·​pock·​et ˈpik-ˌpäk-ət 

: a thief who steals from pockets and purses

Legal Definition

pickpocket

noun

pick·​pock·​et

: a thief who surreptitiously steals money or valuables from the pockets or person of an individual