burglar

[bur-gler]

noun

1. a person who commits burglary.

burglar

/ ˈbɜːɡlə /

noun

1. a person who commits burglary; housebreaker

Word History and Origins

Origin of burglar¹

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 -er ²; -ar ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of burglar¹

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

Example Sentences

“Pardon me, ma’am! I am not a burglar, I assure you.”

Read more on Literature

“Is it a ghost? Or a wolf? Or a burglar? Or what, what?”

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“See, there was someone there! Is it a burglar? No, wait, you’re the governess, what?”

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Sterling's previous home in Surrey was targeted by burglars in December 2022, forcing the former Manchester City star to fly home early from the World Cup in Qatar.

Read more on Barron's

But as the fire wore on, police began to conduct crime suppression sweeps in the evacuation zones where opportunistic burglars were breaking into homes they knew were empty.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crook 
• robber 
• thief