shoplift
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has shopliftedperfect 3rd person singular
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have shopliftedperfect
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has been shopliftingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been shopliftingperfect progressive
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are shopliftingprogressive
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am shopliftingprogressive 1st person singular
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is shopliftingprogressive 3rd person singular
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shopliftingparticiple
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shopliftssingular 3rd person
Past
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had shopliftedperfect
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had been shopliftingperfect progressive
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were shopliftingprogressive plural
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was shopliftingprogressive singular
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shopliftedsimple
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shopliftedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of shoplift
First recorded in 1810–20; back formation from shoplifter
Explanation
When a customer in a store pretends to browse but actually slips items into their bag or pocket, they shoplift. Historians trace the first documented shoplifting to London during the 16th century. And although people certainly stole things before that, the act of surreptitiously lifting goods from store shelves hadn't been described as shoplifting before that. Today, big chains expect that a certain number of customers will shoplift — though they work to prevent it using things like cameras, dyepacks, and security guards — and describe the losses caused by it as "shrinkage."
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.
"Clients have said to us that we're lifesavers and without us people have admitted they would be forced to shoplift just to survive," Mr Lucas said.
From BBC • Sep. 28, 2025
Entire carts full of items with no supervision at self-checkout is an invitation to shoplift, especially to those with limited resources.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 5, 2023
Mr. Hayes said people seem to be feeling less shame and embarrassment when they shoplift.
From Washington Times • Jun. 13, 2023
“The family knows her to be a hard-working young lady who didn’t shoplift, didn’t steal and was able to afford to purchase things that she needed and wanted,” Caleb said.
From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2022
He’ll know something’s up in the same way he always knows which customer is going to shoplift or who’s good for an IOU and who’s not.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
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.
