burglar

[ bur-gler ]

/ ˈbɜr glər /

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noun

a person who commits burglary.

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Origin of burglar

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English, from Anglo-French burgler (compare Anglo-Latin burg(u)lātor), perhaps from unattested Old French borgl(er) “to plunder, pillage” (from unattested Gallo-Romance būriculāre, equivalent to unattested būric(āre) (unattested Old Low Franconian būrj(an) “to dart at, pounce upon” + unattested Vulgar Latin -icāre verb suffix; compare Old French burgier “to strike, hit”) + -ulāre verb suffix) + Anglo-French -er-er²; see -ar²

Words nearby burglar

burgh, burgher, Burghley, Burghley House, burghul, burglar, burglar alarm, burglarious, burglarize, burglarproof, burglary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use burglar in a sentence

Earlier this year, TMZ reported that storage units owned by Beyoncé's production company, Parkwood Entertainment, were raided by burglars who made off with an estimated $1 million in goods.
Fire at mansion believed to be owned by Beyoncé and Jay-Z investigated as possible arson|Jennifer Hassan|July 23, 2021|Washington Post
In 2006, Martha Milete was shot in the chest by burglars in her Detroit home.
A bioethicist warns that informed consent is endangered|Karen Tucker|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
Police once used WD-40 to extricate a naked burglar who had become wedged into ductwork.
20 ingenious uses for WD-40|By Bill Heavey/Field & Stream|February 11, 2021|Popular-Science
Posing as an undercover detective, he persuades an elderly woman to give him her most precious valuables to thwart a supposed burglar.
‘Lupin’ is a thrilling heist series, but it goes deeper than that|Bethonie Butler|January 21, 2021|Washington Post

The burglar alarm to keep his parents out of his messy bedroom wasn’t his only invention.
Honey, I Grew the Economy (Ep. 399)|Stephen J. Dubner|December 5, 2019|Freakonomics
The night Tre arrives, Furious—a Vietnam vet—shoots at a burglar.
The 13 Coolest Movie Dads: ‘Taken,’ ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Die Hard,’ and More|Marlow Stern|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She recently caught a would-be burglar in the garage of their new home and chased him out into the street.
Can ‘the Traitor’ Jesse Benton Unite the GOP?|Sam Youngman|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was caught after setting off burglar alarms in the palace.
Security Farce At Palace As Prince Andrew Stopped By Police After Break-In|Tom Sykes|September 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is the burglar who bears the culpability for walking through an unlocked door, not the homeowner.
How Social Scientists, and the Rest of Us, Got Seduced By a Good Story|Megan McArdle|April 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Police have denied earlier reports that Pistorius mistook his girlfriend for a burglar.
Blade Runner’s Beauty Queen: Who Was Reeva Steenkamp?|Lizzie Crocker|February 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
No burglar ever brags of his exploits; the poacher always boasts, and always receives applause.
The Chequers|James Runciman
The real fact is that Mr. Parson's father was a burglar of the fine old school.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The burglar entered the room without noise, and the heavy breathing of the sleeper continued without intermission.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Next came Coronado, as happy as a disappointed burglar whose cue it is to congratulate the rescuing policeman.
Overland|John William De Forest
As for the gentleman at the door he was encumbered with his hurt companion, who fell across his knees as he rushed at the burglar.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade

British Dictionary definitions for burglar

burglar

/ (ˈbɜːɡlə) /

noun

a person who commits burglary; housebreaker

Word Origin for burglar

C15: from Anglo-French burgler, from Medieval Latin burglātor, probably from burgāre to thieve, from Latin burgus castle, fortress, of Germanic origin

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

burglar

Origin of burglar

Words nearby burglar

Words related to burglar

How to use burglar in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for burglar

Word Origin for burglar