Definition of steal
stole
play \ˈstōl\;stolen
play \ˈstō-lən\;stealing
intransitive verb
1 : to take the property of another wrongfully and especially as a habitual or regular practice
2 : to come or go secretly, unobtrusively, gradually, or unexpectedly
3 : to steal or attempt to steal a base
transitive verb
1a : to take or appropriate without right or leave and with intent to keep or make use of wrongfully stole a carb : to take away by force or unjust means they've stolen our libertyc : to take surreptitiously or without permission steal a kissd : to appropriate to oneself or beyond one's proper share : make oneself the focus of steal the show
2a : to move, convey, or introduce secretly : smuggleb : to accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner steal a visit
3a : to seize, gain, or win by trickery, skill, or daring a basketball player adept at stealing the ball stole the electionb of a base runner : to reach (a base) safely solely by running and usually catching the opposing team off guard
stealer
nounsteal a march on
: to gain an advantage on unobserved
steal one's thunder
: to grab attention from another especially by anticipating an idea, plan, or presentation; also : to claim credit for another's idea
From the M-W Editors
Examples of steal in a Sentence
They stole thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry from the store.
He discovered that his car had been stolen.
The store manager accused the boy of stealing.
I stole a cookie from the cookie jar.
They stole our best pitcher away from our team.
His outstanding performance stole the show.
Origin and Etymology of steal
Middle English stelen, from Old English stelan; akin to Old High German stelan to steal
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of steal
steal
Definition of steal
Examples of steal in a Sentence
This car is a steal at only $5,000.
He has 40 steals this season.
a nifty steal by the defender
Circa 1825
First Known Use of steal
circa 1825
STEAL Defined for English Language Learners
steal
playDefinition of steal for English Language Learners
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: to take (something that does not belong to you) in a way that is wrong or illegal
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: to take (something that you are not supposed to have) without asking for permission
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: to wrongly take and use (another person's idea, words, etc.)
steal
Definition of steal for English Language Learners
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: something that is being sold at a low price
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baseball : the act of stealing a base
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sports : the act of taking the ball, puck, etc., from another player
STEAL Defined for Kids
Definition of steal for Students
stole
\ˈstōl\;stolen
\ˈstō-lən\;stealing
1 : to take and carry away (something that belongs to another person) without permission and with the intention of keeping
2 : to come or go quietly or secretly She stole out of the room.
3 : to draw attention away from others The puppy stole the show.
4 : to take or get secretly or in a tricky way He stole a nap.
5 : to reach the next base safely in baseball by running to it when the ball has not been hit in play
6 : to take (as a ball or puck) from another player
7 : to take something from a situation
Medical Dictionary
steal
playMedical Definition of steal
: abnormal circulation characterized by deviation (as through collateral vessels or by backward flow) of blood to tissues where the normal flow of blood has been cut off by occlusion of an artery subclavian steal coronary steal
Law Dictionary
Origin and Etymology of steal
Old English stelan
Learn More about steal
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See words that rhyme with steal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for steal Spanish Central: Translation of steal Nglish: Translation of steal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of steal for Arabic speakers
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