grand larceny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal; primarily Legal
Quick answer
What does “grand larceny” mean?
The serious criminal offence of stealing property of high value.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The serious criminal offence of stealing property of high value.
In legal contexts, it refers specifically to theft above a monetary threshold set by statute, distinguished from petty (minor) larceny. Informally, it can be used hyperbolically for any act perceived as major theft.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'larceny' is archaic in modern UK criminal law, largely replaced by the statutory offences of 'theft' or 'burglary' under the Theft Act 1968. The specific term 'grand larceny' is virtually never used in contemporary British legal practice.
Connotations
In the US: a standard, formal legal category. In the UK: an archaic or historical term, or one understood through exposure to American media.
Frequency
Common in US legal contexts and crime reporting; extremely rare in UK contexts outside of historical discussion or commentary on US law.
Grammar
How to Use “grand larceny” in a Sentence
[Person/Entity] was charged/convicted of grand larceny.[Person] committed grand larceny by stealing [object/value].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grand larceny” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - Not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A - The term itself is a noun phrase; not used attributively as a simple adjective.
American English
- The grand larceny statute was amended last year.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used directly; may appear in reports on corporate crime or fraud: 'The CEO was indicted for grand larceny related to embezzled funds.'
Academic
Used in legal studies, criminology, and history papers discussing criminal law, particularly comparative or historical analyses.
Everyday
Very rare in casual conversation, except hyperbolically: 'Charging £10 for a coffee is grand larceny!'
Technical
Core term in US criminal law; precise definition depends on jurisdictional statutes (e.g., theft over $1000).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grand larceny”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grand larceny”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grand larceny”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'theft' without the connotation of high value or specific legal definition.
- Confusing it with 'burglary' (which involves unlawful entry) or 'robbery' (which involves force or threat).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Larceny/theft is the unlawful taking of property. Robbery is theft accomplished by force or the threat of force against a person. One can commit grand larceny without any confrontation (e.g., embezzlement).
No. The term 'larceny' was abolished in English law by the Theft Act 1968 and replaced with the broader offence of 'theft'. 'Grand larceny' is an historical term there.
The difference is solely the value of the stolen property, as defined by law in a given jurisdiction. 'Grand' is for high-value theft (a felony), 'petty' is for lower-value theft (often a misdemeanor).
Yes, through the actions of its agents or employees. A corporation can be charged with grand larceny for large-scale fraudulent acquisition of property or funds.
The serious criminal offence of stealing property of high value.
Grand larceny is usually formal; primarily legal in register.
Grand larceny: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd ˈlɑː.sə.ni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡrænd ˈlɑːr.sə.ni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was grand larceny in broad daylight. (Hyperbolic for a blatant rip-off)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GRAND' as in large or great, and 'LARCENY' rhymes with 'a fancy' – stealing on a large, fancy scale.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A BUSINESS (e.g., 'He was in the grand larceny business.'); SCALE IS VERTICALITY (grand = high, petty = low).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'grand larceny' most precisely and commonly used today?