Burglar Meaning
/ˈbɜːɡlə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA person who breaks in to premises with the intent of committing theft.
verbTo commit burglary.
Sentence Examples
The burglar locked the couple in the basement.
The burglar broke into the post office in broad daylight.
The burglar alarm is activated by movement.
CEFR Practice Quiz
A ____ broke into the house through the back window while the family was asleep.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ was caught after he tried to break into the jewelry shop city.
Word Origin & History
16th century, from Medieval Latin burglātor, British byform of burgātor (“burglar”), derived from burgō (“to commit burglary”), from Late Latin burgus (“fortified town”), itself probably from Frankish *burg (“fortress”), from Proto-Germanic *burgz, *burgiją (“borough, watch-tower”). The -l- in burglātor may have been inserted under influence from Latin latro (“thief”). The shortened English form may have arisen through confluence with Old French burgeor (“burglar”), itself from the same Latin source.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In the village itself his lionheartedness had been a legend ever since he had brained a burglar with a number seven iron, and the jury in Guildford had, despite the clear direction of the judge, resolutely declined to convict him for the use of unnecessary force."
— 2010, Louis De Bernières, Notwithstanding, →ISBN, page 82:
"There’s good reason to worry. In an earlier memoir, “Five-Finger Discount,” Stapinski recreated the terrifying world of swindlers, embezzlers, burglars and mobster wannabes who made up her extended Jersey City family."
— 2017 June 23, Max Byrd, “A Trip to Southern Italy to Shed Light on a Family Scandal”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 25 Jun 2017:
"Corona, who carries a pistol filled not with bullets but with tequila and drives around in his pickup truck that says “Porder Batrol” on the side, says he was playing pickleball at the time, which allowed the burglar free rein to the territory."
— 2025 February 1, Noah Goldberg, “He runs a desert micro-nation by the Salton Sea. Population Zero.”, in Los Angeles Times, archived from the original on 01 Feb 2025:
"The latter, with another constable, remained to watch the burglared premises both back and front, […]"
— 1901, Emma Orczy, The Robbery in Phillimore Terrace:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
A ____ broke into the house through the back window while the family was asleep.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ was caught after he tried to break into the jewelry shop city.