noun
burglar
BUR-glur/ˈbɜːrɡlər/
a person who illegally enters a building to steal
The burglar reaches through the forced window toward a jewelry box.
Etymology
Burglator belongs to a word family connecting ‘fortress, castle’ with a verb meaning ‘break open, commit burglary.’ The central connection is breaking into a building to steal, rather than theft alone.
In context
Even if just their arm, leg, or head enters unlawfully, it counts. In RV Ryan, 1996, a burglar got stuck in a window
More examples
- A neighbor spotted the burglar leaving with a bag.
- The burglar stole jewelry from the bedroom.
- Police connected the two burglaries to the same burglar.
Forms
burglar · burglars
burglary noun — illegal entry into a building to commit a crime
Similar words
- thief
- Anyone who steals.
- intruder
- Someone who enters without permission, not necessarily to steal.