Have you ever got stuck on the correct past tense of the word steal in English grammar? This article will explain the conjugations of the word steal and also define steal and give you all the information you need about the word to master it in the English language.

What Is the Definition of the Word Steal?

The English verb steal is defined as:

Transitive verb

to take (the property of another or others) without permission or right, especially secretly or by force:
- A pickpocket stole his watch.
to appropriate (ideas, credit, words, etc.) without right or acknowledgment.
to take, get, or win insidiously, surreptitiously, subtly, or by chance:
- He stole my girlfriend.
to move, bring, convey, or put secretly or quietly; smuggle (usually followed by away, from, in, into, etc.):
- They stole the bicycle into the bedroom to surprise the child.
Baseball. (of a base runner) to gain (a base) without the help of a walk or batted ball, as by running to it during the delivery of a pitch.
Games. to gain (a point, advantage, etc.) by strategy, chance, or luck.
to gain or seize more than one’s share of attention in, as by giving a superior performance:
- The comedian stole the show.

Intransitive Verb

to commit or practice theft.
to move, go, or come secretly, quietly, or unobserved:
- She stole out of the house at midnight.
to pass, happen, etc., imperceptibly, gently, or gradually:
- The years steal by.
Baseball. (of a base runner) to advance a base without the help of a walk or batted ball.

Noun

Informal. an act of stealing; theft.
Informal. the thing stolen; booty.
Informal. something acquired at a cost far below its real value; bargain:
- This dress is a steal at $40.
Baseball. the act of advancing a base by stealing.

Synonyms of the Word

Pilfer – to steal, especially in small quantities
Kidnap – to steal, carry off, or abduct by force or fraud, especially for use as a hostage or to extract ransom
Swipe – informal: to steal
Remove – to take off or shed
Plunder – to rob of goods
Take – to get into one’s holds or possession by voluntary action
Embezzle – to appropriate fraudulently to one’s own use, as money or property entrusted to one’s care.

What Is the Past Tense of Steal?

The past tense of the word steal is stole.

An example of present and past tense:

Present – A robber steals from innocent people.

Past – A pickpocket stole my phone as we were walking the busy streets of Barcelona.

How Do You Conjugate Steal?

Here are some verb conjugations of the word steal including the past tense verb forms:

Infinitive: to steal

Past participle: stolen

Present participle/gerund: stealing

Simple Present Tense	Simple Past Tense	Future Tense
I steal	stole	Am stealing
You steal	stole	Are stealing
He/she/it steals	stole	Is stealing
We steal	stole	Are stealing
They steal	stole	Are stealing

The History and Origin of the Word

The word steal has been used since at least the year 900 A.D. In Middle English it was spelled stelen and in Old English it was spelled stelan.

Examples of the Word in Context

In “Steal This Episode,” the filmmaker denounces Homer Simpson as an “enemy of art.”
- HERE’S THE LOST JUDD APATOW ‘SIMPSONS’ EPISODE, PENNED BY JUDD APATOW|ASAWIN SUEBSAENG|JANUARY 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When they steal things, they want to get all the bonus points.
- THE INSANE $11 BILLION SCAM AT RETAILERS’ RETURN DESKS|M.L. NESTEL|DECEMBER 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Watch your back Liam Neeson, here comes Kevin Costner to steal your older-leading-man thunder!
- THE BIGGEST BOMBS OF 2014: ‘SEX TAPE,’ MARIAH CAREY’S VOCALS, ‘HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER’ AND MORE|KEVIN FALLON|DECEMBER 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Murderers tweet in Mexico; a history of Kansas City and did Picasso try to steal the Mona Lisa?
- 7 MUST-READ STORIES ABOUT MEXICAN CARTELS, KANSAS CITY AND PICASSO: THE BEST OF THE BEAST|WILLIAM BOOT|OCTOBER 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And I am able to steal back what was stolen from me as a child.
- NPR’S SMOOTH-TALKING MILLENNIAL WHISPERER|BATYA UNGAR-SARGON|OCTOBER 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After he became used to the dark again he ventured to steal along the wall to the window and peeped in.
- THE LONE STAR RANGER|ZANE GREY
Is there any one about to steal the staircase of the Louvre, or the clock from the pavilion of the Tuileries?
- TOM BURKE OF “OURS”, VOLUME I (OF II)|CHARLES JAMES LEVER
Why should it be culpable to steal from a resident, and laudable to do the same thing with a stranger?
- BLACKWOOD’S EDINBURGH MAGAZINE, VOLUME 62, NUMBER 385. NOVEMBER, 1847.|VARIOUS
He wanted no ray of light to steal out into the growing darkness and make a target.
- THE STRENGTH OF THE PINES|EDISON MARSHALL
Cautiously I get up; I am on all fours, like a cat; and I steal out into the yard.
- JEWISH CHILDREN|SHOLEM NAUMOVICH RABINOVICH

Summary

Next time you need to write the word steal, you will be well prepared for everything you need to know what it is and how to use it efficiently. You should feel confident with the different conjugations, the history of the word, and the definition whether you’re using it in American English or British English.

Sources:

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

The Past Tense of Steal: Here’s What It Is and How to Use It

Your writing, at its best

What Is the Definition of the Word Steal?

Synonyms of the Word

What Is the Past Tense of Steal?

How Do You Conjugate Steal?

The History and Origin of the Word

Examples of the Word in Context

Summary

Sources:

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