Stealth Meaning
/stɛlθ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe attribute or characteristic of acting in secrecy, or in such a way that the actions are unnoticed or difficult to detect by others.
nounAn act of secrecy, especially one involving thievery.
Sentence Examples
The cheetah uses a combination of stealth and explosive acceleration to catch its prey.
The silence and stealth of a hungry cat.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ninja moved with great ____ through the dark hallway to avoid being seen.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The animal used great ____ to approach its prey without making a single sound in the dry autumn leaves.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English stelthe, from Old English stǣlþ, from Proto-Germanic *stēliþō, to Proto-Germanic *stelaną (“to steal, to sneak”) + *-iþō, equivalent to steal + -th (abstract nominal suffix). Compare Old English stalu (“theft, stealth”), Old High German stāla (“theft”), German Diebstahl (“theft”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Claudio.[...] But it chances
The stealth of our most mutuall entertainment
With Character too grosse, is writ on Iuliet."
— c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"[The King] thinks it fit[...] that restitution according to this order be made to the petitioners for stealths committed upon them last winter (273)."
— 1877, George Hill, An Historical Account of the Plantation in Ulster at the Commencement of the Seventeenth Century, M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr, page 352:
"For her, there's a clear link between this behavior and that of avowed stealthers: : both stem from a place of sexism and misogyny, and to the extent that they differ, it's only by degree. Tellingly, Davis's work treats deception as merely one of several ways that men engage in the behavior she terms "condom use resistance." […] To the best of my knowledge, I've never been stealthed."
— 2018 November 6, Lux Alptraum, Faking It: The Lies Women Tell about Sex--And the Truths They Reveal, Seal Press, →ISBN:
"[He] tried to stealth her but Nikki checked him quick. “Unh-unh. You better strap up.” “Word?” “Word nigga.” “A'ight, a'ight.” Justus slid a condom on and entered Nikki real slow."
— 2019 January 29, Shaun Sinclair, Blood Ties, Dafina, →ISBN:
"[…] condom. I'd seen him put it on and take it off afterward, so it wasn't like he'd tried to stealth me. Plus, my periods had always been irregular, so I could go six weeks before it appeared. When had I last gotten it, though? I couldn't[…]"
— 2019 November 5, Iris Morland, Oopsie Daisy: A Steamy Romantic Comedy: Professor Student Accidental Pregnancy Romance, Blue Violet Press LLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ninja moved with great ____ through the dark hallway to avoid being seen.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The animal used great ____ to approach its prey without making a single sound in the dry autumn leaves.