larceny
Americannoun
-
larcenies
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of larceny
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English larceni, from Anglo-French larcin “theft,” from Latin latrōcinium “robbery” (equivalent to latrōcin(ārī) “to rob,” originally “serve as mercenary soldier” (derivative of latrō “hired soldier, robber”) + -ium -ium ) + -y 3
Compare meaning
How does larceny compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Larceny is the legal term for stealing. Grand larceny is when you take something worth a lot of money, petty larceny when the stolen item is worth relatively little. Larceny is used when talking about stealing someone's property in regards to the law. If you illegally download music or plagiarize a text, that may be theft, but it is not larceny because there was no physical property involved. If you take a friend's yoyo and don't give it back, it's stealing — unless your friend calls the police and has you arrested on charges of larceny.
Vocabulary lists containing larceny
The Sun Is Also a Star
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!
A Long Way from Chicago
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!
Oliver Twist
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.
See Examples For:
He arrived at Liverpool from AS Roma on 23 June 2017 for £34m, a fee now resembling an act of grand larceny when set against what he subsequently achieved.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026
But in late September, Saks said its security officials got a tip that triggered an investigation, resulting in Kwatra’s termination and charges of fraud and larceny filed against him.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
Brentford were superior in every aspect, and had Liverpool somehow rescued a point it would have been grand larceny.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2025
The fraudster fashionista, who inspired Netflix’s “Inventing Anna” series and was convicted in 2019 of eight felony counts including grand larceny, said she sought approval from U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2024
Red Tie shifts his attention back to the petty larceny.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
Police Chief James White has said Jackson-Bolanos came to the attention of investigators trying to solve larcenies in the area.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 23, 2024
Property crime also increased in 2022, with burglaries up 19%, larcenies 21%, vehicle thefts 45% and carjackings 21%, according to police data.
From Washington Times ● Jan. 10, 2023
In a different example, he directed prosecutors to reduce armed robbery cases to petit larcenies, barring certain circumstances.
From Fox News ● Jan. 20, 2022
He and others believe Virginia needs to go further and do what other states already have: Allow for other crimes, such as larcenies, that people were forced to commit to also be vacated and expunged.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 24, 2021
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.
