burgle
C1informal
Definition
Meaning
to enter a building illegally and steal from it
to commit the crime of burglary; can be used figuratively to mean stealing or taking something by stealth or deception
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Used as a verb; the derived noun is 'burglar' (the person) and 'burglary' (the crime). 'Burgle' focuses on the action, often implying a successful or attempted theft.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Much more common in British English. American English strongly prefers 'burglarize' as the verb.
Connotations
In BrE, it is the standard, albeit informal, verb. In AmE, it can sound quaint or British.
Frequency
High frequency in BrE news and colloquial speech. Low frequency in AmE, where 'burglarize' dominates.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] burgle [Sw][Sb] get burgledVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get burgled blind (informal, intensive form)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in security reports ('The warehouse was burgled over the weekend').
Academic
Used in criminology/sociology texts discussing crime statistics.
Everyday
Common in conversation and news reports about crime ('Our neighbours got burgled').
Technical
Used in legal/police contexts, but the noun 'burglary' is more formal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Thieves burgled the post office last night.
- We came home to find we'd been burgled.
- They attempted to burgle the jewellery shop.
American English
- The store was burgled twice last month. (AmE, but 'burglarized' is preferred)
- My apartment got burgled while I was on holiday.
adjective
British English
- The burgled house was left in a mess.
- They increased security after the burgled flat incident.
American English
- The burgled premises were secured by police.
- Insurance covered the burgled items.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A thief burgled their house.
- The shop was burgled.
- Our neighbours were burgled while they were on holiday.
- The police think the same person burgled three flats.
- The gang was caught attempting to burgle a secure warehouse.
- Having been burgled once, he installed a sophisticated alarm system.
- The premises were burgled with a sophistication that suggested inside knowledge.
- They felt violated after their home was burgled, not just robbed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Burgle sounds like 'gurgle' – imagine a burglar making a gurgling sound as he sneaks in.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A VIOLATION OF A CONTAINER (entering a building illegally).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly from Russian 'грабить' (to rob openly); 'burgle' implies illegal entry. Don't confuse with 'воровать' (to steal) which is more general.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'burgle' for a robbery on the street (no building). Confusing 'burgle' (verb) with 'burglar' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'burgle' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Burgle' specifically requires illegal entry into a building to steal. 'Rob' is more general and can involve theft from a person, vehicle, or building, often with confrontation or threat.
It is understood but is far less common than 'burglarize'. Using 'burgle' in the US might sound distinctly British.
The crime is 'burglary'. The person who does it is a 'burglar'. 'Burgle' itself is only a verb.
Yes, 'get burgled' is a very common informal passive construction, especially in British English.