Burglar: The Thief Who Comes Inside
A burglar breaks into a building to steal. What separates burglary from other theft is the entry itself, which is why the word belongs to houses rather than to streets.
A burglar enters a building unlawfully in order to steal. The offence is defined by the entry, not by what is taken: in many legal systems a burglary is complete the moment someone enters as a trespasser intending to steal, even if they leave empty-handed.
- Someone who breaks in to steal. *A burglar took the laptop and left.*
- Used loosely of any housebreaker. *Burglars struck three times that month.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | burglar | A cat burglar. |
| Noun | burglary | Two burglaries in a week. |
| Verb (UK) | burgle | The flat was burgled. |
| Verb (US) | burglarize | The store was burglarized. |
| Adjective | burglar-proof | A burglar-proof lock. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The house was burgled while they were away.British form of the verb.
- Their office was burglarized overnight.American form — same meaning.
- A cat burglar climbs in through upper windows.Named for the quiet, agile approach.
Burglar, robber, thief and shoplifter
- Burglar — enters a building unlawfully to steal
- Robber — takes property by force or threat, face to face
- Thief — the general word for anyone who steals
- Shoplifter — steals from a shop during opening hours, so no unlawful entry
From medieval Latin *burglator*, probably built on a Germanic root for a fortified dwelling — the same family as borough. The verbs came afterwards: *burgle* is a British back-formation from burglar, and *burglarize* an American one from burglary.
Burgle or burglarize?
Burgle in Britain and most of the Commonwealth, burglarize in the United States. Both are correct in their own dialect.
Is robbery the same as burglary?
No. Robbery involves force or threat against a person. Burglary is about unlawful entry, usually with nobody present.