stole

[ stohl ]

/ stoʊl /

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verb

simple past tense of steal.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Words nearby stole

stoke up, Stokowski, stokvel, STOL, stola, stole, stolen, stolen generation, stolid, stollen, Stó:lō

Other definitions for stole (2 of 2)

stole²

[ stohl ]

/ stoʊl /

noun

an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a narrow strip of silk or other material worn over the shoulders or, by deacons, over the left shoulder only, and arranged to hang down in front to the knee or below.Compare tippet (def. 2).

a woman's shoulder scarf of fur, marabou, silk, or other material.Compare tippet (def. 1).

a long robe, especially one worn by the matrons of ancient Rome.

Origin of stole

before 950; Middle English, Old English <Latin stola<Greek stolḗ clothing, robe; akin to Greek stéllein to array, Old English stellan to place, put

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT STOLE

What is a basic definition of stole?

Stole is the simple past tense form of the verb steal, which means to take something that a person has no right to have. A stole is an article of clothing that resembles a scarf.

If you stole something, you took it without permission or authority needed to make it belong to you. If you stole bread from the store, for example, you took it without paying for it. If you stole someone’s idea, you took it from them without asking first and presented it as yours.

As the past tense of steal, stole can be used in all of the same idioms that steal is used in. If you “stole someone’s thunder,” for example, you used their plan or idea before they could. Likewise, if you paid a very low amount of money for something valuable, you might say that you stole it.

Real-life examples: Bonnie and Clyde were a real-life couple who famously stole from banks and stores. Robin Hood was a (probably) fictional outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.
Used in a sentence: My sister stole my excuse for why I was late so I had to make up something else.

A stole is an article of clothing that is similar to a scarf or a shaw. It is worn around the neck or draped over one or both shoulders. A stole can be short, covering just the shoulders and upper arms, or long, usually reaching down to about the wearer’s hips. It is typically considered to be an article of women’s clothing, but stoles are worn by male members of the clergy belonging to several different kinds of Christian denominations. For example, Roman Catholic priests (including the Pope) will sometimes wear a stole as part of their holy vestments.

Used in a sentence: Lorraine wore her fancy fur stole to the banquet.

Where does stole come from?

The first records of stole as a verb come from the word steal, which come from before the 900s. It ultimately comes from the Old English stelan.

The first records of stole as a noun come from before 950. It ultimately comes from the Greek stolḗ, meaning “clothing” or “robe.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to stole?

steal (present tense verb)

What are some synonyms for stole?

What are some words that share a root or word element with stole?

steal
steal away

What are some words that often get used in discussing stole?

How is stole used in real life?

Stole is commonly used as the past tense of “steal.”

I hope whoever stole my wallet is happy because you're about to get in so much trouble and I'll make sure of it

— Carter Reynolds (@carterreynolds) September 27, 2014

APD investigating robbery 200 blk Century Place. 2 suspects assaulted & stole food from delivery man. Expect police activity in the area.

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) January 26, 2017

Again the cat cuddles up to me and plays with my hair. I wanted a lap cat and ended up with a living fur stole who talks to me all day long.

— gfrancie (@gfrancie) January 27, 2021

Try using stole!

True or False?

If a person stole a car, they took it from someone else without paying for it.

How to use stole in a sentence

She walked onstage wearing a full-length gown, long gloves and a mink stole — and left it wearing considerably less.
Tempest Storm, exotic dancer called ‘The Last Queen of Burlesque,’ dies at 93|Matt Schudel|April 22, 2021|Washington Post
Had he been asked, he would have said the story was untrue and that he would never have said Sheehan “stole” the papers.
Seeing the Pentagon Papers in a New Light|by Stephen Engelberg|February 3, 2021|ProPublica
Yep, the song the Whos sing in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Chinese hackers stole source code and wormed their way into Gmail.
Sony Blames North Korea for Hacking, but Washington Left Them Completely Vulnerable|Gordon G. Chang|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“He did not trust his slaves and regularly complained that they shirked work, stole supplies, and broke tools,” writes Larson.
Washington’s Wheeler-Dealer Patriotism|William O’Connor|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Judge Drioux intimated Picasso he was part of a larger gang of criminals who stole the Mona Lisa.
Did Picasso Try to Steal the Mona Lisa?|Nick Mafi|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The problem now is that they came back to the fight with sophisticated weapons, weapons they stole from the Americans.
Obama Is Just 'Tickling' ISIS, Syrian Rebels Say|Josh Rogin|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Wurzel was quite right; they had been supplied, regardless of cost, from Messrs. Rochet and Stole's well-known establishment.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Awe stole upon him; he felt himself included in the great ideal of this older day.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
A cold, numbing sensation stole down my spine and made my legs grow suddenly weak.
Uncanny Tales|Various
Piegan swung into the coulée at a fast lope, and we stole carefully down to meet him.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
The belated moon stole up from its lair, hovered above the sky-line, a gaudy orange sphere in the haze of smoke.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for stole (1 of 2)

stole¹

/ (stəʊl) /

verb

the past tense of steal

British Dictionary definitions for stole (2 of 2)