What does heisted mean?
Heisted is the simple past tense and past participle of heist, an informal verb meaning to steal or rob. It is used most often in reports of crime and informal descriptions of theft: a thief heisted jewelry, cash, or merchandise. Because the simple form of heist is itself the verb, heisted may also function as a participial adjective, as in heisted goods, meaning goods that have been stolen. The word is chiefly associated with American English, though it is also understood and used informally in Britain and elsewhere. It is more colloquial and dramatic than stole and often suggests a sudden, completed act of taking property. In journalism, a more neutral verb may be preferred, while in dialogue the vividness of heisted can be effective. Its interest lies in its history: the modern word developed from the language of lifting or hoisting, so the sound of raising something carries the criminal sense of removing it. Heisted is therefore memorable in both narrative and descriptive writing, although it is unsuitable where formal neutrality is required.
Heisted means stole or unlawfully took.
"The thieves heisted the cash register before the store closed."
The simple past tense and past participle of the informal verb heist.
Heisted means having been stolen.
"The museum has recovered most of the heisted jewelry."
Used as a participial adjective, especially before a noun such as goods, cash, or jewelry.
A word built for lifting turned into a word for stealing: the crime is a heist.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does heisted come from?
Heisted is the simple past tense and past participle of hoist. Its theft sense developed in early twentieth-century American slang, commonly traced to an alteration of the older form heisten, meaning to hoist, which was influenced by German. The underlying verb belongs to a German word family that also includes hissen, meaning to hoist, although the family's ultimate origin is uncertain.
Related word forms
How heisted is actually used
Heisted is informal and often more dramatic than the neutral verb stole. It is especially associated with American English, although it is also used informally in Britain and elsewhere.
Easily confused with heisted
Heisted means stolen, whereas hoisted means lifted or raised.