What does burgle mean?
Burgle is an informal British verb meaning “to steal from a building or other property by unlawful entry.” It is a jocular, deliberately softened version of “burglarize,” often used in reported speech, fiction, and comedy rather than in legal or formal contexts. The expression can refer to breaking into a home, shop, or warehouse, although its meaning may be deliberately exaggerated when someone is accused of taking something small or unusual. Burgle carries a mocking or playful tone, so it is often less suitable for describing serious crimes in official communication. The word’s appeal lies in its compactness: it turns the formal noun “burglar” into an active verb and gives ordinary language a distinctly comic edge. It is understood in American English as well, but remains especially associated with informal British usage.
verbTo steal from a building or other property by unlawful entry. The word is informal and often humorous in tone.
- To steal from a building or other property by unlawful entry.
"The comic character decides to burgle the bank after discovering that it contains only a single-pound note."
"Thieves burgled the warehouse during the night and escaped before the alarm sounded."
"In the novel, the aspiring criminal explains how he intends to burgle the mansion."
Burgle turns the formal crime of burglary into a playful, distinctly comic verb.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does burgle come from?
The word is a chiefly British humorous verb formed from “burglar” with the ending “-le” in the early twentieth century. “Burglar” comes through Old French from Late Latin, while the related English noun “burglary” developed from the same source. Modern forms such as “burgle” and “burglarize” are English derivatives of this older vocabulary of theft.
Related word forms
How burgle is actually used
This is an informal, often humorous word. It is usually avoided in legal, official, or otherwise formal writing, even when describing a serious offense.
Easily confused with burgle
A burglar is a person who commits burglary, whereas burgle is the informal verb for committing the crime.
Burglary is the noun for the crime of unlawfully entering a building to steal, whereas burgle is the verb describing the act.