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

Over a one year period starting in February 2023, federal prosecutors alleged that Ozer embezzled over $210,000 meant for Safehaven, an upcoming supernatural thriller backed by Ravenwood Productions. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025

Santos made the grave error of not just lying about his background to voters — which while unethical and unsavory is not a crime — but embezzling donor funds for personal expenses and lying to Congress, among other things, which are chargeable offenses that have now resulted in his conviction. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025

The film spurred a defamation lawsuit between Wilson and producers Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron and executive producer Vince Holden, whom Wilson alleged embezzled funds from the indie feature and harassed the lead actress. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 23 Apr. 2025

The country suffered another political bombshell on Monday after Le Pen, the leader of far-right National Rally party, was convicted of embezzling EU funds and barred from running for public office for five years, with immediate effect. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 1 Apr. 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