pickpocket
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to steal (a wallet, money, etc.) in the manner of a pickpocket.
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to steal from (a person) in the manner of a pickpocket.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of pickpocket
Explanation
A pickpocket is a criminal who steals things from people's pockets or bags. Your grandmother might warn you to be on the lookout for pickpockets when you travel to Paris. Pickpockets take advantage of crowded situations to slide wallets, phones, and cash out of victims' pockets, and when they do this, you can say that they pickpocket. Probably the most famous literary pickpocket is Charles Dickens' character The Artful Dodger, from "Oliver Twist." Before pickpocket was coined, around 1590, they were called pick-purses, for obvious reasons.
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:
And so, I always equate it to a pickpocket.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2025
His quick reflexes and deft glovework earned him the nickname "pickpocket" from former Indian coach Ravi Shastri.
From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2025
Are you ever concerned that you’re calling out a person who is not actually a pickpocket?
From New York Times ● Jul. 25, 2023
TCU: The Horned Frogs disrupted the Longhorns with quick hands and pickpocket steals that turned into early points.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 11, 2023
And if not, then could Harry’s death have been more than just an awful coincidence, the result of a foolish choice to pickpocket the wrong man?
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Success in each was measured by a made cut, modest lodgings and avoiding pickpockets on trains.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026
The area has been targeted by pickpockets and Rome officials have debated different ways of regulating access for years.
From Barron's ● Dec. 19, 2025
“Just as pickpockets and ticket touts target groups of tourists, cybercriminals will be conscious of increased online traffic towards the Paris 2024 games and will hope to capitalize,” the report said.
From Seattle Times ● May 3, 2024
It continues by advising travellers to be vigilant for pickpockets and muggers, to limit headphone and mobile phone use in public, to be mindful of alcohol consumption and to keep a low profile.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2023
Unlike Western cities, Tiwanaku had no markets—no bazaars full of shouting, bargaining, conniving entrepreneurs; no street displays of produce, pottery, and plonk; no jugglers and mimes trying to attract crowds; no pickpockets.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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.
