What does burglar mean?
A burglar is a person who unlawfully enters a building, home, vehicle, or other enclosed premises in order to commit a crime, usually theft. The word is therefore more specific than the general term thief: it suggests illegal entry or intrusion into a protected space, even when no property is actually taken. In news reports, legal proceedings, and descriptions of security measures, “burglar” commonly appears alongside expressions such as “burglar alarm” and “burglar-proof.” The related noun burglary names the offence, while burglarize and burglarise are less common verbs meaning to enter or rob premises unlawfully. Although a burglar is usually understood to be a thief, the term can also refer more broadly to an intruder whose intended crime is not theft. The word ultimately comes through French and Latin from a root associated with fortified settlements, reflecting the historical importance of secure or guarded places.
nounA person who unlawfully enters a building, home, vehicle, or other enclosed premises with the intention of committing a crime, especially theft.
- A person who unlawfully enters a building, home, vehicle, or other enclosed premises with the intention of committing a crime, especially theft.
"The burglar was caught on the security footage entering the house through a back window."
"A burglar attempted to enter the warehouse overnight, but the motion-sensor alarm stopped him."
"The report described the intruder as a burglar who had forced open the rear door before stealing several laptops."
The regular plural form is “burglars.”
"Several burglars targeted shops in the neighborhood during the holiday season."
A burglar is more than a generic thief: the word points especially to the unlawful entry into a building or other enclosed premises.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does burglar come from?
Burglar entered Middle English through an Anglo-French form meaning a thief or breaker into houses. Its ultimate source is a Germanic root for a fortified settlement, preserved in English words such as borough, burgh, and burgher. The modern sense developed from the idea of entering a defended or enclosed place to steal.
Related word forms
How burglar is actually used
The word is used in legal, journalistic, and everyday contexts. It is most appropriate for an intruder entering premises, rather than for a thief who takes property without necessarily breaking into or entering a building; exact legal definitions vary by jurisdiction.
Easily confused with burglar
A burgher is a person associated with a borough or town, whereas a burglar is someone who unlawfully enters premises to commit a crime.