burglar

American  

[bur-gler] / ˈbɜr glər /

noun

1. a person who commits burglary.

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burglar British  

/ ˈbɜːɡlə /

noun

1. a person who commits burglary; housebreaker

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Etymology

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 -er ²; -ar ²

Example Sentences

The heist must have taken place some time between Saturday 27 and Monday 29 December, according to officials, who think the burglars may almost have been caught shortly before reaching the vault.

From BBC

Prosecutors suggested that because the burglars did not simply steal expensive items and implied they had intended to target the celebrities personally.

From BBC

But as any Argentine will tell you, you would have to be stupid to literally hide cash under your mattress—it’s the first place a burglar would look.

From The Wall Street Journal

After serving in the Army from 1966-68 in Vietnam, where he was wounded, he made his TV debut in 1971, playing a burglar alongside Cleavon Little in Norman Lear’s sitcom “All in the Family.”

From Los Angeles Times

In the end, Gail mistakes Paul for a burglar and sends a mob of angry neighbors after him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crook
• robber
• thief