kleptomaniac
Americannoun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of kleptomaniac
First recorded in 1860–65; kleptomani(a) + -ac
Explanation
If you notice that every time your friend Sarah comes over, all your binder clips and pens disappear, it may be that your friend is a kleptomaniac. If you’ve ever known a kleptomaniac, it won’t surprise you to learn that the word kleptomaniac has origins that trace back to the Greek words for “thief” and “madness.” A kleptomaniac has a mental disorder that compels the person to steal. Unlike a shoplifter, who will steal an item he or she wants or needs, a kleptomaniac steals for the thrill of stealing, often taking items that have little or no value.
Vocabulary lists containing kleptomaniac
It's Madness!: Mania
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Winning Words from the New York Times Learning Network / Vocabulary.com Student Vocab Video Contest
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Lost Hero
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He is a cat burglar - a kleptomaniac kitty who apparently cannot be reformed.
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2022
A man struggles to break the thieving habits of his kleptomaniac wife and restore harmony to their marriage.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2020
The comedy about a kleptomaniac housewife was, The Times reported, one of at least six movies slated to be shot in the city that summer.
From New York Times • Sep. 26, 2019
The next film under Hedren’s contract was Marnie, about a kleptomaniac with mental health problems.
From The Guardian • Oct. 31, 2016
On remand for numerous larcenies: Mulch Diggums, the kleptomaniac dwarf.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
