robber
B2General, formal and informal. Neutral in news, legal, and everyday contexts; can be slightly formal in casual conversation where 'thief' or 'mugger' may be more common.
Definition
Meaning
A person who commits robbery; someone who takes property from another person or place by force or threat of force.
Figuratively, someone or something that deprives others of something valuable or essential, often in a sudden or unfair manner (e.g., 'time is a robber of youth').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Specifically implies use of force, threat, or intimidation, unlike 'thief', which is more general. Often used for more serious, confrontational theft (e.g., bank robber, armed robber).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Both use 'robber' for the same core concept. Legal definitions of 'robbery' are consistent.
Connotations
Similar in both. Connotes a more violent, brazen criminal than a 'thief'.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[robber] + of + [stolen item/place] (e.g., robber of banks)[determiner] + robber + [relative clause] (e.g., the robber who escaped)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Robber baron (historical/modern: ruthless business magnate)”
- “Time is a robber”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically ('corporate robber baron') or in security reports ('prevented a robber').
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or legal studies (e.g., 'the social conditions that produce robbers').
Everyday
Common in news reports and casual talk about crime ('A robber stole my phone!').
Technical
Used in legal and law enforcement contexts with precise definition involving force or threat.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- To rob is the verb; 'robber' is not used as a verb.
American English
- To rob is the verb; 'robber' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not derived.
American English
- Not derived.
adjective
British English
- The robbery incident was shocking. (No direct adjective 'robber')
American English
- He had a robber-like appearance. (Very rare, non-standard)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The robber took the money from the shop.
- The police caught the robber.
- The masked robber threatened the cashier with a gun.
- Witnesses gave a description of the robber to the police.
- The notorious bank robber was finally sentenced to ten years in prison.
- Modern security systems have made the traditional bank robber's job much harder.
- The sociologist analysed the economic desperation that often drives an individual to become a robber.
- He was portrayed in the media not as a mere robber, but as a modern-day folk hero challenging the system.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ROB' + 'BER' – The 'BER' sounds like 'burr', something sharp and threatening. A robber ROBs you, often with a sharp threat.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A PROFESSION ('career robber'), SOCIETY IS A BODY ('a robber on the body politic').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'грабитель' for all contexts; for a sneak thief, use 'thief' (вор). 'Robber' implies confrontation.
- Do not confuse with 'burglar' (вор-взломщик) who breaks in when a building is empty. A robber confronts people.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'robber' for non-confrontational theft (e.g., a pickpocket is a thief, not typically a robber).
- Incorrect preposition: 'The robber stole the bank' (wrong). Correct: 'The robber robbed the bank' or 'The robber stole from the bank'.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario most accurately describes a 'robber'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'thief' is the general term for anyone who steals. A 'robber' uses force or threat against a person. A 'burglar' breaks into a building to steal, typically when it's unoccupied.
Only in metaphorical or poetic language (e.g., 'a robber of joy'). In standard usage, it refers to physical, confrontational crime.
It is neutral. It is correct in formal legal/ news contexts and understandable in informal speech, though 'mugger' or 'thief' might be more casual substitutes depending on context.
The verb is 'to rob'. A robber robs someone or some place (e.g., rob a bank, rob a person). Do not say 'steal a bank'; you 'rob a bank' and 'steal money'.