Most instances of theft are crimes, but a person might still be called a thief if they’ve committed a theft that won’t get them arrested. In this way, a robber is a kind of thief. Still, the word thief is used generally to refer to someone who steals. A thief is a person who steals, especially in secret and without using force or violence. In contrast, a person who steals by using force, violence, or threats of force or violence would more likely be called a robber.

The word thief typically refers to a person who steals without anyone noticing, at least not when the theft is taking place. The word most commonly refers to a person who steals money or physical property, but a thief can steal other things, such as ideas, information, or intellectual property. In general, intentionally taking something that doesn’t belong to you makes you a thief. If the value of the stolen tools is 700, Bob faces felony theft charges. For example, in a state in which theft of property valued at 500 or more is a felony, if Bob steals tools worth 300 from his neighbor, he is guilty of misdemeanor theft. The related noun theft refers to the act or an instance of stealing. thief / if/ noun plural thieves / ivz/ Britannica Dictionary definition of THIEF count : a person who steals something a car thief A thief took my purse. Anything over the specified amount automatically makes the theft a felony. SYNONYMS burglar, pickpocket, highwayman. theft, stealing, robbery, burglary, shoplifting, embezzlement, pilfering, larceny an ex-con who says he's given up thieving adjective 1.

The related noun theft refers to the act or an instance of stealing. A thief is a person who steals, especially in secret and without using force or violence. secretly or without open force one guilty of theft or larceny. A thief is a person who steals, especially in secret and without using force or violence.

Thief definition