Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Given to or characterized by stealing; prone to theft. Describes a person, group, or action that habitually or characteristically steals.

2. Noun:

   • The act of taking something from someone unlawfully; theft. Refers to the action or crime of stealing.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The shopkeeper installed new cameras to deter thieving customers.
  • He was known in the village as a thieving rascal.

• Noun:

  • The report highlighted an increase in petty thieving in the downtown area.
  • "The thieving is awful at Kennedy International," the security chief complained.

Advanced Usage

• "Thieving" as a Gerund: The word can function as a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun), which is often interchangeable with its noun form.
  • His constant thieving from the company led to his dismissal.

Variants and Related Words

• Thieve (verb): To steal something.
  • He was arrested for attempting to thieve a car.
• Thief (noun): A person who steals.
  • The thief was caught on security footage.
• Theft (noun): The action or crime of stealing. This is a more common and formal synonym for the noun "thieving."
  • She reported the theft of her wallet to the police.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Stealing, pilfering, larcenous, dishonest.
• Noun: Theft, stealing, robbery, larceny, pilferage.

Related Phrases

• Thieving magpie: A metaphorical phrase for a person who steals small, often shiny items, alluding to the bird's reputed behavior.
  • My little sister is a thieving magpie when it comes to my jewelry.

Adjective

1. given to thievery

Noun

1. the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
   • the thieving is awful at Kennedy International