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: 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: 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.” When they steal things, they want to get all the bonus points. Watch your back Liam Neeson, here comes Kevin Costner to steal your older-leading-man thunder! Murderers tweet in Mexico; a history of Kansas City and did Picasso try to steal the Mona Lisa? And I am able to steal back what was stolen from me as a child. After he became used to the dark again he ventured to steal along the wall to the window and peeped in. Is there any one about to steal the staircase of the Louvre, or the clock from the pavilion of the Tuileries? Why should it be culpable to steal from a resident, and laudable to do the same thing with a stranger? He wanted no ray of light to steal out into the growing darkness and make a target. Cautiously I get up; I am on all fours, like a cat; and I steal out into the yard.
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:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/06/here-s-the-judd-apatow-tribute-in-the-new-apatow-penned-simpsons-episode.html?source=dictionary http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/19/the-insane-11-billion-scam-at-retailers-return-desks.html?source=dictionary http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/19/the-biggest-bombs-of-2014-sex-tape-mariah-carey-s-vocals-how-i-met-your-mother-and-more.html?source=dictionary http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/25/7-must-read-stories-about-mexican-cartels-kansas-city-and-picasso-the-best-of-the-beast.html?source=dictionary http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/25/7-must-read-stories-about-mexican-cartels-kansas-city-and-picasso-the-best-of-the-beast.html?source=dictionary http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/07/npr-s-smooth-talking-millennial-whisperer.html?source=dictionary http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1027/1027-h/1027-h.htm http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31901/31901-h/31901-h.htm http://www.gutenberg.org/files/31901/31901-h/31901-h.htm http://www.gutenberg.org/files/26433/26433-h/26433-h.htm http://www.gutenberg.org/files/35378/35378-h/35378-h.htm http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27001/27001-h/27001-h.htm https://www.dictionary.com/browse/steal?s=t
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.