thieve

[ theev ]
See synonyms for thieve on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),thieved, thiev·ing.
  1. to take by theft; steal.

verb (used without object),thieved, thiev·ing.
  1. to act as a thief; commit theft; steal.

Origin of thieve

1
before 950; Old English thēofian, derivative of theōfthief (not recorded in ME)

Other words from thieve

  • thiev·ing·ly, adverb
  • outthieve, verb (used with object), out·thieved, out·thiev·ing.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use thieve in a sentence

  • They never thieved or begged while I knew them, and not one of them had what could be called a criminal habit.

    Tramping with Tramps | Josiah Flynt
  • The sunlight pressed through the windows, thieved its way in, flashed its light over the furniture and the photographs.

    The Garden Party | Katherine Mansfield
  • They thieved openly, and answered remonstrances with undisguised taunts.

  • Thieved with dexterity, and was once condemned to twenty-five months imprisonment.

    The Criminal | Havelock Ellis
  • I thieved for you when I was a child not half as old as this (pointing to Oliver).

    Oliver Twist, Vol. I (of 3) | Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for thieve

thieve

/ (θiːv) /


verb
  1. to steal (someone's possessions)

Origin of thieve

1
Old English thēofian, from thēof thief

Derived forms of thieve

  • thievery, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012