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

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.

From Washington Post

In 2006, Martha Milete was shot in the chest by burglars in her Detroit home.

From Washington Post

Police once used WD-40 to extricate a naked burglar who had become wedged into ductwork.

From Popular-Science

Posing as an undercover detective, he persuades an elderly woman to give him her most precious valuables to thwart a supposed burglar.

From Washington Post

The burglar alarm to keep his parents out of his messy bedroom wasn’t his only invention.

From Freakonomics

The night Tre arrives, Furious—a Vietnam vet—shoots at a burglar.

From The Daily Beast

She recently caught a would-be burglar in the garage of their new home and chased him out into the street.

From The Daily Beast

He was caught after setting off burglar alarms in the palace.

From The Daily Beast

It is the burglar who bears the culpability for walking through an unlocked door, not the homeowner.

From The Daily Beast

Police have denied earlier reports that Pistorius mistook his girlfriend for a burglar.

From The Daily Beast

No burglar ever brags of his exploits; the poacher always boasts, and always receives applause.

From Project Gutenberg

The real fact is that Mr. Parson's father was a burglar of the fine old school.

From Project Gutenberg

The burglar entered the room without noise, and the heavy breathing of the sleeper continued without intermission.

From Project Gutenberg

Next came Coronado, as happy as a disappointed burglar whose cue it is to congratulate the rescuing policeman.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crook
• robber
• thief