steal, pilfer, filch, purloin mean to take from another without right or without detection. steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to …

STEAL definition: 1. to take something without the permission or knowledge of the owner and keep it: 2. to do…. Learn more.

STEAL definition: to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force. See examples of steal used in a sentence.

Steal is the most general: stole a car; steals research from colleagues. To purloin is to make off with something, often in a breach of trust: purloined the key to his cousin's safe-deposit box.

If you steal something from someone, you take it away from them without their permission and without intending to return it. He was accused of stealing a small boy's bicycle. [VERB noun] Bridge stole the …

Dec 13, 2025 · steal (third-person singular simple present steals, present participle stealing, simple past stole, past participle stolen or (nonstandard, colloquial) stole) (transitive) To take illegally, or without …

idiom (steal (someone's) thunder) To use, appropriate, or preempt the use of another's idea, especially to one's own advantage and without consent by the originator.

steal /stil/ v., stole /stoʊl/ sto•len, steal•ing, n. v. to take (the property of another) without permission or right, esp. secretly or by force: [~ + object] Someone stole my dad's car last night. [no object] The …

To steal is to take someone else's property without their consent and with the intention to keep it permanently or not return it. This action is considered illegal and unethical.

To steal is take something that isn't yours: thieves steal. But a bargain that's so good it's almost like you're getting away with robbery is also called a steal.