stole

[ stohl ]

/ stoʊl /

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verb

simple past tense of steal.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

How to use stole in a sentence

It was a mix of crinkle-fabric slim skirts and swing jackets, paint-splatter prints, fur jackets and fur stoles.
Louis Vuitton, Chanel, McQueen Cap Paris Spring 2013 Fashion Week Shows|Robin Givhan|October 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
She ditches her plaid knee-highs for Audrey Hepburn-style shift dresses, fur stoles, red lipstick and a bouffant.
A Touch of Audrey|Rachel Syme|October 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Above, on the bank, and greener than the grass, grew moss at the roots of ash-stoles and wherever there was shelter.
The Hills and the Vale|Richard Jefferies
She perceived that they were soldiers disguised in stoles and hoods taken from the sacristy of the Abbaye aux Dames.
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2)|Anatole France

When cut it "stoles" or throws up shoots very freely, and when treated so will live a hundred years.
Miscellanea|Juliana Horatia Ewing
She led him in and out, and round the ash-stoles and bushes, till he had not the least idea which way he was going.
Wood Magic|Richard Jefferies
The following estimates of durability refer to the use of fur when made up “hair outside” in garments or stoles, not as a lining.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for stole (1 of 2)

stole¹

/ (stəʊl) /

verb

the past tense of steal

British Dictionary definitions for stole (2 of 2)

stole²

/ (stəʊl) /

noun

a long scarf or shawl, worn by women

a long narrow scarf worn by various officiating clergymen

Word Origin for stole

Old English stole, from Latin stola, Greek stolē clothing; related to stellein to array

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012