thief
thief
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for the word "thief" is /θiːf/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
th - /θ/ (voiceless dental fricative) - This is the "th" sound as in "thin" or "think." It's made by placing the tongue between the teeth and forcing air out.
ie - /iː/ (long high front vowel) - This is the vowel sound as in "see" or "meet." It's a long vowel sound, meaning it's held slightly longer than a short vowel.
f - /f/ (voiceless labiodental fricative) - This is the "f" sound as in "fan" or "foot." It's made by placing the upper teeth on the lower lip and forcing air out.
Word Form Variations
thief (singular noun)
thieves (plural noun)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun:
Definition 1: A person who secretly and unlawfully takes the property of another.
Synonyms: robber, burglar, pilferer, larcenist, shoplifter, pickpocket, swindler, fraudster.
Antonyms: giver, donor, philanthropist, benefactor, honest person.
Definition 2: A person who has been convicted of theft. (This definition emphasizes the legal status.)
Synonyms: convict, criminal, felon, offender, lawbreaker.
Antonyms: law-abiding citizen, innocent person.
Definition 3: (Figurative) Someone or something that takes something valuable away, not necessarily in a literal, criminal sense. "Time is a thief."
Synonyms: depriver, stealer, usurper, encroacher.
Antonyms: preserver, protector, guardian, provider.
Verb:
Definition 1: To steal; to take (something) illegally or without the owner's permission. (Less common usage; "steal" is generally preferred.)
Synonyms: rob, burgle, pilfer, purloin, appropriate, embezzle, lift (slang).
Antonyms: give, donate, return, restore, offer.
Adjective:
(Rarely used as an adjective) While "thieving" is an adjective, "thief" itself is not typically used this way. You might see phrases like "thief in the night" which is more of an idiom. "Thievish" would be a closer adjectival form.
Thievish (adjective): Having or displaying a tendency to steal.
Synonyms: dishonest, larcenous, pilfering, kleptomaniac (in some contexts).
Antonyms: honest, trustworthy, reliable, ethical.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak (Book Title): This popular novel uses "thief" in its title, referring to the protagonist's penchant for "stealing" books. (Zusak, M. (2005). The Book Thief. Alfred A. Knopf.)
"Stop, Thief!" by Eric Wilson (Book Title): A children's mystery novel title. (Wilson, E. (1980). Stop, Thief!. Bodley Head.)
News/Online Publications:
"Police are searching for the thief who stole a valuable painting from the museum." (Hypothetical news report, similar stories appear frequently.)
"Cybersecurity experts warn of online thieves targeting personal information." (Hypothetical news report; data breaches and online scams are common news items.)
"A thief in broad daylight stole a woman's purse." (Hypothetical news report; petty theft is a common occurrence reported in local news.)
Entertainment:
Thief (2014 TV series): A short-lived crime drama series starring Andre Braugher. (Various episodes, aired on ABC.)
The Thief of Bagdad (1940 film): A classic adventure film. (Directed by Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, and Tim Whelan.)
Video games often feature "thieves" as characters, either playable or non-playable, such as in the Thief video game series. (Various releases by Eidos Interactive and Square Enix.)
General Public Discourse:
"Someone stole my bike! I can't believe there are so many thieves around here." (Example of everyday conversation.)
"He's a thief! He cheated me out of my money." (Example of a more accusatory statement.)
"Time is a thief." (Common idiom, as discussed before, used in everyday language and literature.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Thief
"The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still; the thief knows the way in but not the way out." — A.W. Tozer
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." — John 10:10 (Bible)
"Every rascal is not a thief, but every thief is a rascal." — Aristotle
"A man that is a thief is never trusted, even if he steals back his own." — William Shakespeare, Othello
"The greatest thief this world has ever produced is procrastination, and he is still at large." — Josh Billings
"Conceit is the finest armour a man can wear. It makes him bulletproof to criticism, but it is a thief of growth." — C.S. Lewis
"The thief who has stolen a purse is hanged; the one who has stolen a kingdom is crowned." — Chinese Proverb
"Time is a thief; it steals our youth before we know we’ve spent it." — Euripides
"A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines. Both are thieves of comfort." — Benjamin Franklin
"Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind; the thief doth fear each bush an officer." — William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part III
Etymology
The word "thief" comes from Old Norse, specifically the word þjófr. Think of it like this: a Viking long ago might have used a word that sounded a bit like "thyof-r" to describe someone who stole things.
That Old Norse word þjófr then made its way into Old English as þēof. So, the English started using a word similar to "theof" for the same kind of person.
The earliest known use of the word in written English (that we have records of) goes back to around the year 1000 AD. At that time, it already had the meaning we understand today: someone who steals. So, even a thousand years ago, people were using a word very similar to "thief" to describe the same concept.
It's important to note that þjófr in Old Norse is related to other words in different languages, all tracing back to a common ancestor. This shows how words evolve and change over time, but often retain a core meaning. The idea of stealing and the person who does it is a concept that has been around for a very long time, and the word "thief" is a direct descendant of those ancient words.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Thief
Direct Use of "Thief":
A thief in the night: This idiom refers to someone who comes unexpectedly and takes something valuable, often in a sneaky or underhanded way. It can be literal (a burglar) or figurative (a sudden loss or misfortune).
To catch a thief: This is a straightforward phrase meaning to apprehend someone who has stolen something.
Set a thief to catch a thief: This proverb suggests using someone dishonest to catch another dishonest person, implying they'll understand each other's tactics.
There's honor among thieves: This proverb, often used ironically, suggests that even criminals have a code of conduct (though this is frequently disputed in reality).
Figurative/Related Concepts (using synonyms or related ideas):
Time is a thief: This common expression emphasizes how quickly time passes and how it "steals" our moments.
Opportunity is a thief: Similar to "time is a thief," this highlights how opportunities can be lost if not seized promptly.
To rob someone of their joy/happiness/peace: This phrase uses "rob" (a synonym of "steal") to express the act of taking away someone's positive emotions or state of mind.
To steal someone's thunder: This idiom means to take credit for someone else's idea or achievement.
To pilfer: While not an idiom itself, "pilfer" implies petty theft and is often used in descriptive phrases like "pilfering office supplies."
Like a fox in a henhouse: While not using "thief" directly, this idiom describes someone who is in a position to steal or cause trouble, suggesting a predatory presence.
Original/Less Common Phrases:
"The memory thief": This could be used to describe something that causes you to forget important things.
"A thief of dreams": This phrase could refer to someone or something that prevents you from achieving your aspirations.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of thief from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
