stole
High (verb form); Low (noun form)Neutral (verb); Formal (noun)
Definition
Meaning
The past tense of 'steal', meaning to take something without permission or legal right.
Can also refer to a long, narrow scarf or shawl worn over the shoulders, especially in religious or formal contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it implies secrecy, illegality, or wrongful taking. As a noun, it is a specific garment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference for the verb. The noun (garment) is understood in both but may be more associated with formal/ecclesiastical wear in the UK.
Connotations
Verb: universally negative. Noun: formal, ceremonial.
Frequency
The verb form is extremely common. The noun form is low-frequency and specialized.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Someone stole something (from someone/somewhere).Something was stolen.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stole the show”
- “Stole a march on someone”
- “Stole my thunder”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used directly; more common in reports of crime or loss (e.g., 'Data was stolen').
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or sociological texts discussing crime or appropriation.
Everyday
Common in narratives about personal experiences or news reports of theft.
Technical
Used in legal contexts (larceny) and IT/security contexts (data theft).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The bishop adjusted his embroidered stole before the service.
- She wore a velvet stole over her evening gown.
American English
- The minister's stole was a gift from his congregation.
- A light fur stole was draped over the chair.
verb
British English
- He stole a biscuit from the tin when no one was looking.
- The painting was stolen from the gallery last night.
American English
- She stole the game-winning base in the ninth inning.
- Someone stole my bike from the front porch.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother stole my chocolate.
- The cat stole a fish from the kitchen.
- He stole a quick look at his watch during the meeting.
- Thieves stole several computers from the office.
- The comedian's hilarious routine stole the show.
- The novel's plot was accused of stealing ideas from a lesser-known author.
- The new policy effectively stole a march on their competitors.
- She felt a sense of guilt, as if she had stolen her success from someone more deserving.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a STOLE (scarf) being STOLEN from a shop. The words sound the same!
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/OPPORTUNITY AS A POSSESSION (e.g., 'He stole a few moments of peace'). IDEAS AS PROPERTY (e.g., 'She stole my concept').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'украл' (past tense of steal) and 'стол' (table). The noun 'stole' (scarf) is 'палантин' or 'епитрахиль' (religious).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stole' instead of 'stolen' for the past participle (e.g., 'I have stole' is wrong; correct is 'I have stolen').
- Confusing 'steal' (verb) with 'steel' (metal).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'stole' as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, as the past tense of 'steal'. However, it is used metaphorically in idioms (e.g., 'stole my heart') and can be a noun for a scarf.
'Stole' focuses on the object taken (e.g., 'They stole my wallet'). 'Robbed' focuses on the victim or place (e.g., 'They robbed me' or 'They robbed the bank'). 'Burgled' means to illegally enter a building to commit theft.
Yes, in figurative language. For example, 'She stole the show' means she was the most impressive performer, which is positive for her.
It rhymes with 'hole' or 'pole'. In British English, the vowel sound is /əʊ/; in American English, it's /oʊ/.