noun
burglar
BURG-luh
noun
1
A person who breaks into a building to steal.
"A burglar broke a window and took the jewelry box."
"The alarm scared off the burglar before he reached the safe."
How to Use Burglar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who breaks into a home or building to steal things.
Common mistake
A burglar breaks in to steal; a robber typically uses force or threats against a person directly.
Common pairings
catch a burglar
burglar alarm
Word Forms
burglared past tense, burglars plural, burglars singular
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A _____ broke a window and took the jewelry box.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin burglator, related to Late Latin burgus ("fortified town") — an extra "l" crept in, likely influenced by Latin latro ("thief").