stole
stole
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "stole" is /stoʊl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
stoʊ:
/s/ as in "s"it
/t/ as in "t"op
/oʊ/ as in "o"pen
l:
/l/ as in "l"ike
Word Form Variations
stole: This is the past tense of the verb "steal." It's also a noun referring to a woman's scarf-like garment.
stolen: This is the past participle of the verb "steal." It's often used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "be" (e.g., "has stolen," "was stolen"). It can also function as an adjective (e.g., "stolen goods").
stealing: This is the present participle or gerund of the verb "steal." It can also function as a noun (e.g., "Stealing is wrong.").
steals: This is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "steal" (e.g., "He steals").
steal: This is the base form of the verb.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Garment):
Definition: A woman's elegant scarf or wrap, typically made of a luxurious fabric like fur or silk, worn loosely over the shoulders.
Synonyms: Shawl, wrap, cape, stole (historical usage - sometimes refers to a long ecclesiastical vestment)
Antonyms: (A direct antonym is difficult, as it's a specific type of garment. However, you could consider) Plain scarf, utilitarian outerwear
Verb (To Take Dishonestly):
Definition: To take something belonging to another person without permission and with the intention of keeping it.
Synonyms: Pilfer, thieve, embezzle, appropriate, purloin, misappropriate
Antonyms: Return, give back, restore, reimburse, compensate, offer
Adjective (Describing something that has been stolen):
Definition: (Usually used as part of a compound adjective) Describing property or goods that have been taken illegally.
Synonyms: Illegally obtained, misappropriated, purloined, thieved, pilfered
Antonyms: Legally obtained, rightfully owned, honestly acquired
Note: "Stole" is not commonly used as an adverb.
Examples of Use
Noun (Garment):
"She wore a beautiful fur stole to the opera." (Common public discourse)
"The queen's wardrobe included several stoles made of the finest silk." (Historical/Literary context - think historical fiction or biographies)
"A vintage beaded stole added a touch of glamour to her outfit." (Fashion blogs, online articles about vintage clothing)
Verb (To Take Dishonestly):
"The thief stole a valuable painting from the museum." (Newspaper article - crime report)
"He was accused of stealing company funds." (News report, legal documents)
"The villain in the movie stole the secret formula." (Film dialogue, plot summary)
"They stole our hearts with their incredible performance." (Figurative usage - entertainment review, blog post)
"Cybercriminals stole personal data from millions of users." (News report - cybercrime)
"Someone stole my bike from in front of the library." (Common public discourse, social media post)
"The politician stole the show with his impassioned speech." (Figurative usage - news article, political commentary)
Adjective (Describing something that has been stolen - usually part of a compound adjective):
"The police recovered the stolen artwork." (News report, police statement)
"He was found in possession of stolen goods." (Legal documents, court reports)
"The stolen car was found abandoned in a nearby town." (News report, police blotter)
It's important to note that many examples of "stole" as a verb, especially in news reports or legal contexts, won't always be directly cited with a specific source in this context. News reporting often paraphrases or uses general attribution. Similarly, common public discourse is, by its nature, un-sourced. The examples above aim to represent the types of places you would encounter these usages.
10 Famous Quotes Using Stole
"He who opens a school door, closes a prison; he who stole knowledge, gave it to the people." — Victor Hugo
"The man who stole my wallet was clever, but the man who stole my youth was wicked." — Oscar Wilde
"She stole my heart, and I let her keep it." — Shakespeare (paraphrased from Much Ado About Nothing)
"We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock. The rock was landed on us, and then they stole the land." — Malcolm X
"He stole from the poor and called it business." — Charles Dickens
"Whoever stole your joy didn’t own it to begin with." — Maya Angelou
"They stole the children from their mothers and called it civilization." — Desmond Tutu
"The thief who stole my purse stole trash; but the one who stole my good name stole treasure." — William Shakespeare, Othello
"He stole my thunder." — John Dennis (1709, coining the phrase after seeing his stage effect copied)
"They stole his ideas, but they could not steal his vision." — Nikola Tesla (attributed in later writings)
Etymology
Let's break down the etymology of "stole." It has two distinct origins, depending on whether we're talking about the garment or the verb.
1. Stole (Garment):
This "stole" comes from the Latin word "stola," which referred to a long, loose-fitting garment worn by women in ancient Rome. Think of it like a long shawl or wrap. The Latin "stola" itself might have roots in earlier Greek words, but the direct line is to Latin. This meaning of "stole" as a garment has been around in English for a long time, with records of its use going back centuries.
2. Stole (Verb - to steal):
This "stole" is the past tense of the verb "steal." "Steal" comes from Old English "stelan," which had a similar meaning to our modern "steal"—to take something dishonestly. This Old English word likely goes back even further to Proto-Germanic roots. The verb "steal" and its past tense "stole" have been in use in English for a very long time, essentially as long as the English language has existed in some recognizable form.
So, to summarize simply:
The garment "stole" comes from Latin "stola," an ancient Roman garment.
The verb "stole" (past tense of "steal") comes from Old English "stelan," meaning to take dishonestly.
The two words are completely unrelated in origin, despite being spelled the same. This is a classic example of how one word can have multiple, completely separate etymological roots, leading to different meanings.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Stole
Challenges with "Stole" in Idioms:
The primary reason "stole" isn't common in idioms is its strong negative connotation. Idioms often have a lighter, more figurative touch, while "stole" immediately brings up the idea of theft, which is serious. Also, the simple act of taking something isn't as rich in metaphorical possibility as some other actions.
Phrases and Related Uses:
Stole the show: This is a common phrase, but not a true idiom. It means someone gave the best performance or was the most impressive person at an event. It uses "stole" figuratively, implying they took attention away from others.
Stole a glance: Again, a common phrase, but not a full idiom. It means to look at someone quickly and secretly. "Stole" is used figuratively here.
Stolen moments: This phrase refers to brief periods of time for a romantic or illicit encounter. The "stolen" aspect emphasizes the secretive nature.
Stolen goods: This refers to items that have been stolen. It's a literal use, not an idiom.
Idioms with Synonyms for "Steal":
Since "stole" itself is limited, looking at synonyms can give us a better sense of related idiomatic expressions:
Swipe: "Swipe" is used in idioms like "swipe right" (on dating apps), meaning to show interest. It has a more modern, less serious connotation than "steal."
Lift: "Lift" can be used figuratively, though less commonly than "steal". "He lifted my spirits" is an idiom.
Take: "Take" appears in many idioms: "take the cake" (be the best), "take someone's breath away" (be stunning), "take it on the chin" (endure hardship). While not directly about theft, they relate to taking something, even if metaphorically.
Appropriate: "Appropriate" is used in phrases like "cultural appropriation," which is a complex topic relating to taking elements of another culture.
Original/Constructed Examples (for illustrative purposes):
"He stole a march on the competition." (Figurative: gained an advantage)
"The music stole into the room." (Figurative: entered subtly)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of stole from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
