thief

noun

ˈthēf 

plural thieves ˈthēvz 

: one that steals especially stealthily or secretly

also : one who commits theft or larceny

Synonyms of thief

• robber
• burglar

Examples of thief in a Sentence

A thief took my purse.

a thief has been stealing wallets and valuables from the lockers at the gym

Recent Examples on the Web

As Ars’ Ashley Belanger reported recently, thieves have made off with more than $100 million in similar shipments since June. — Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026

The sweep focused on vehicles that are overwhelmingly targeted by thieves, according to a statement issued by the Howard County Police Department (HCPD). — CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

But across the capital, fresh graffiti denounced politicians as thieves. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The action revolves around the theft of Santa’s magic bag by a naughty elf, forcing him to enlist the help of a thief called Vance, played by Reacher star Alan Ritchson, to get it back. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English theef, from Old English thēof; akin to Old High German diob thief

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing thief

• sneak thief

Rhymes for thief

• beef
• brief
• chief
• fief
• grief
• leaf
• lief
• reef
• reif
• seif
• sheaf
• belief

Kids Definition

thief

noun

ˈthēf 

plural thieves ˈthēvz 

: one that steals

Legal Definition

thief

noun

plural thieves

: one who commits theft

Etymology

Old English thēof