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B2 adjective #4,000 most common 10 min read

burglary

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips burglary in 30 Seconds

Explanation burglary in your Level:

Burglary is a word for when a person goes into a house or a shop without permission to steal things. Imagine a person who opens a window at night and takes a computer. That is a burglary. It is a crime. People feel sad when a burglary happens in their home. We use locks and alarms to stop burglary. Example: 'The burglary happened at night.' It is a simple noun. You can say 'a burglary' or 'many burglaries.' The person who does it is called a 'burglar.' In A1, we learn this word to talk about bad things that can happen to a house. It is important to know this word so you can tell the police if someone takes your things from your house. You might see this word in very simple news stories or in stories about detectives like Sherlock Holmes.

At the A2 level, you should know that burglary is a specific kind of stealing. It means someone enters a building illegally because they want to take something. It is different from 'stealing' because burglary always involves a building like a house, office, or store. If someone takes your bag in the street, it is not a burglary. If they enter your house to take your bag, it is a burglary. You might hear this in sentences like: 'The police found the man after the burglary.' We often use the verb 'commit' with burglary. 'He committed a burglary.' You should also know the word 'burglar' (the person) and 'burgled' (the verb in British English). For example, 'Our house was burgled last week.' This word is useful for talking about safety and home security.

For B1 learners, burglary is an important term for discussing social issues and law. Burglary is the illegal entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft. It is a more formal term than 'break-in.' At this level, you should be able to describe a burglary in more detail. For example, you might talk about 'attempted burglary' if someone tried to get in but failed. You will also see it in the context of insurance. 'Do you have burglary insurance?' or 'The insurance company paid for the items lost in the burglary.' It is important to distinguish burglary from robbery. Robbery involves people and force; burglary involves buildings and entry. You might use this word when writing a report or talking about crime in your neighborhood. Common phrases include 'reporting a burglary' and 'investigating a burglary.'

At the B2 level, you should understand the legal nuances of burglary. It is defined as the unlawful entry of a structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft. Crucially, the crime of burglary is completed upon entry with intent, even if no property is actually taken. This distinguishes it from 'larceny' or simple 'theft.' You should be comfortable using the word in various registers, from formal police reports to news analysis. For example, 'The burglary rate has fluctuated due to economic factors.' You should also know related terms like 'aggravated burglary' (burglary with a weapon) and 'residential vs. commercial burglary.' B2 learners should be able to discuss the psychological impact of burglary on victims, such as the 'violation of privacy.' You will also encounter the word in compound forms like 'burglary prevention' and 'burglary alarm systems.'

C1 learners should have a deep understanding of burglary within the broader context of criminal justice and sociology. You should be able to analyze the factors that lead to high burglary rates in certain urban environments, such as 'environmental design' or 'socio-economic disparity.' In legal contexts, you might explore how different jurisdictions define 'entry'—does it require the whole body, or just an arm through a window? You should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures and academic discussions. For example, 'The prevalence of burglary in the suburbs has led to an increase in gated communities.' You should also be aware of the historical evolution of the term, from its roots in common law (which required it to be at night) to modern statutes. At this level, you can use synonyms like 'housebreaking' or 'intrusion' with precision to convey specific meanings.

At the C2 level, you possess a masterly command of the term 'burglary,' including its jurisprudential intricacies and literary applications. You can discuss the 'mens rea' (guilty mind) required for a burglary conviction and how it differs from 'trespass.' You might analyze how burglary is portrayed in literature as a metaphor for the invasion of the subconscious or the breakdown of social order. You are comfortable using the term in high-level legal discourse, such as discussing 'precedent-setting burglary cases' or 'legislative reforms regarding property crimes.' You understand the subtle differences in international law, such as how 'burglary' is treated in the UK vs. the US. Your vocabulary includes related rare terms like 'burglarous intent' or 'burglarproof.' You can write sophisticated essays on the effectiveness of 'deterrence theories' in reducing burglary, using a wide range of academic and technical vocabulary.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

burglary in 30 Seconds

Burglary is the illegal entry into a building to commit a crime, usually theft.
It is different from robbery because it doesn't always involve a person being present.
The crime is defined by the intent to steal at the moment of entry.
Commonly associated with home security, insurance claims, and police investigations.

At its core, burglary refers to the act of entering a building or structure illegally with the specific intent to commit a crime inside, most commonly theft. While many people use the terms 'burglary' and 'robbery' interchangeably in casual conversation, they represent distinct legal concepts. Burglary is primarily a crime against a property or a dwelling, whereas robbery involves taking something from a person through force or fear. You will encounter this word frequently in news reports, police briefings, insurance documents, and legal discussions. It carries a heavy weight because it implies a violation of one's private space—the 'sanctity of the home.' In modern legal contexts, the definition has expanded. Historically, it was limited to breaking into a dwelling at night, but today, it covers various structures (offices, sheds, garages) at any time of day. Understanding this word is essential for navigating discussions about public safety, law enforcement, and personal security.

Legal Context: In the eyes of the law, a burglary is completed the moment the intruder enters the premises with the intent to steal, even if they are caught before they actually take anything.

The local police department reported a significant decrease in residential burglary cases following the implementation of the neighborhood watch program.

Casual Usage: People often say 'my house was burgled' to describe the aftermath of finding their belongings missing and their door kicked in.

After the burglary, the family decided to install a high-tech security system with motion sensors and cameras.

The word is also used metaphorically in some contexts, though rarely. For instance, one might jokingly say a friend 'committed a burglary' of the fridge, though this is non-standard. Professionally, it is used by insurance adjusters who categorize claims based on whether there was visible evidence of forced entry, which often determines the payout for a burglary claim. The emotional toll of a burglary is often highlighted in sociological studies, as victims report feeling a loss of safety in their own homes. This psychological aspect makes the word far more evocative than a simple 'theft'.

The detective looked for fingerprints at the scene of the burglary to identify the perpetrator.

Administrative Usage: Insurance companies require a formal police report detailing the burglary before they can process any claims for stolen jewelry or electronics.

Statistically, most burglary attempts happen during the day when residents are at work.

The suspect was charged with third-degree burglary for breaking into the abandoned warehouse.

Using 'burglary' correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. It typically functions as the object of a verb like 'commit', 'report', or 'investigate'. For example, 'The police are investigating a burglary on Elm Street.' It can also be modified by adjectives to specify the type of crime, such as 'aggravated burglary' (which involves a weapon) or 'attempted burglary' (where the intruder failed to enter). When discussing the frequency of the crime, we use terms like 'burglary rate' or 'burglary statistics'.

Common Verb Pairings: Common verbs that go with burglary include: prevent, deter, solve, witness, and experience.

Improved street lighting has been shown to deter burglary in urban neighborhoods.

In more formal or academic writing, 'burglary' is often treated as a category of felony. You might see it in a list of offenses: 'The defendant was charged with arson, burglary, and grand larceny.' Note that 'burglary' is an abstract noun when referring to the crime in general, but a countable noun when referring to specific incidents. 'There were three burglaries in our building last month.'

A string of burglaries has left the community on high alert.

The burglary was caught on a hidden doorbell camera.

Compound Phrases: Terms like 'burglary insurance' and 'burglary alarm' use the noun as an attributive adjective to modify another noun.

Our burglary insurance policy covers the replacement cost of all stolen electronics.

When describing the act in a narrative, it is often useful to describe the 'method of entry'. Phrases like 'entry by force' or 'non-forced burglary' help clarify how the crime occurred. For example, 'The burglary was made easier because the back window was left unlocked.' This highlights the specific nature of the crime as an intrusion.

The burglary rate in the city has plummeted by twenty percent over the last decade.

Forensic evidence from the burglary scene led to an arrest within forty-eight hours.

'Burglary' is a staple of crime procedurals, news broadcasts, and legal dramas. If you watch shows like 'Law & Order' or 'CSI', you will hear detectives discussing 'breaking and entering' alongside 'burglary'. In the news, a reporter might say, 'A high-stakes burglary occurred at the downtown museum last night.' It is also a common word in neighborhood social media groups (like Nextdoor or Facebook groups), where neighbors warn each other about suspicious activity. 'Watch out, there was a burglary attempt on 5th Street!'

News Media: Journalists use 'burglary' to provide a factual description of property crimes, often citing police reports.

The evening news featured a segment on how to prevent burglary during the holiday season.

In a professional setting, such as an insurance office or a real estate agency, 'burglary' is used to discuss risk and liability. A realtor might mention the low burglary rate of a neighborhood as a selling point. An insurance agent will explain the difference between 'burglary' and 'theft' coverage in a policy. You may also hear it in public service announcements (PSAs) from local governments encouraging citizens to 'Lock it or lose it' to prevent burglary.

The insurance adjuster confirmed that the burglary was covered under the standard homeowner's policy.

The judge sentenced the offender to five years for the burglary of a commercial property.

Community Safety: Community leaders often hold meetings to address rising burglary rates and propose solutions like better lighting.

Signage indicating a 'Neighborhood Watch' program is a common sight in areas trying to reduce burglary.

Finally, you will find 'burglary' in historical texts and literature. Classic detective novels by authors like Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle often center on a mysterious burglary. In these stories, the 'burglary' is the catalyst for the entire plot, requiring the detective to use logic to figure out how the intruder entered and what their true motive was. This historical usage shows that while the technology of security has changed, the concept of the crime remains a fundamental part of human storytelling and legal systems.

Sherlock Holmes was called to investigate a daring burglary at the manor house.

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing 'burglary' with 'robbery' or 'theft'. While all three involve taking something that isn't yours, the legal and situational definitions are quite different. As mentioned before, burglary requires an illegal entry into a structure. Theft is the general act of stealing. Robbery is stealing from a person using force. If a thief steals your bike from the sidewalk, it is 'theft'. If they break into your garage to steal the bike, it is 'burglary'. If they push you off the bike and take it, it is 'robbery'.

Burglary vs. Robbery: Mistake: 'The man committed a burglary on the woman in the park.' Correct: 'The man committed a robbery on the woman in the park.'

Many people mistakenly report a burglary when they actually mean they were pickpocketed in a crowded area.

Another common mistake involves word forms. 'Burglary' is the noun (the crime). 'Burglar' is the noun (the person). 'Burgle' or 'burglarize' is the verb. Learners often say things like 'He was burglarying the house,' which is incorrect. It should be 'He was burglarizing the house' or 'He was committing a burglary.' Additionally, some learners use 'burglary' to describe any kind of break-in, even if the intent wasn't criminal (like a firefighter breaking a door to save someone), which is not accurate. Burglary always implies a 'felonious intent'.

It is incorrect to use the word burglary to describe a legal entry by emergency services.

The student wrote 'the burglary was arrested,' but should have written 'the burglar was arrested' for the burglary.

Spelling Errors: Learners often misspell the word as 'burgary' or 'burgulary'. Note the 'l' after the 'g'.

Correct spelling is vital for legal documentation related to a burglary case.

Lastly, some confuse 'burglary' with 'trespassing'. Trespassing is simply being on property without permission. Burglary is trespassing *with the intent to commit a crime*. If a person wanders into a yard to look at flowers, it's trespassing. If they enter the house to steal a vase, it's burglary. Making this distinction is crucial for accurate communication in legal or security contexts.

The lawyer argued that his client was only guilty of trespassing, not burglary, as there was no intent to steal.

There are several words related to burglary that offer different shades of meaning. 'Housebreaking' is an older term specifically referring to breaking into a home. 'Break-in' is a more informal, phrasal-noun synonym often used in casual speech. 'Larceny' is a legal term for theft that is often a component of burglary but doesn't require the entry into a building. Understanding these nuances helps in choosing the most precise word for the situation.

Break-in: A more informal way to describe a burglary. Example: 'There was a break-in at the shop last night.'
Housebreaking: Specifically refers to residential burglary. It is common in British English legal history.
Intrusion: A broader term for entering where one is not wanted, used in security and technical contexts.

While 'theft' is the act of taking, burglary is defined by the unlawful entry with criminal intent.

In some jurisdictions, you might hear 'aggravated burglary'. This refers to a burglary where the perpetrator is armed or where a person in the building is harmed. 'Commercial burglary' refers specifically to businesses, while 'residential burglary' refers to homes. These distinctions are important for legal sentencing and insurance premiums. Another related term is 'looting', which is burglary or theft committed during a riot or natural disaster.

The store owner was relieved that the incident was classified as a simple burglary rather than an armed robbery.

The distinction between burglary and larceny is a common topic in introductory law classes.

Pillage/Raid: These words are used for more violent or large-scale acts of entering and stealing, often in war or organized crime contexts.

A high-tech burglary might involve bypasses of electronic security rather than physical breaking of locks.

Choosing the right word depends on the level of formality and the specific details of the crime. For a casual chat, 'break-in' is perfect. For a police report, 'burglary' is required. For a historical novel, 'housebreaking' might add flavor. By mastering these alternatives, you can communicate more effectively and accurately in any situation involving property crime.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient English law, burglary could only be committed at night. If you broke into a house during the day, it was called 'housebreaking'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈbɜː.ɡlər.i/

US /ˈbɝː.ɡlɚ.i/

First syllable (BUR-glary)

Rhymes With

surgery perjury mercury curry hurry blurry flurry worry

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'burg-uh-lary' (adding an extra syllable).
Confusing the 'l' and 'r' sounds.
Stressing the second syllable.
Mispronouncing the 'g' as a 'j' sound.
Dropping the 'l' entirely.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and fiction, but legal definitions can be tricky.

Writing 4/5

Spelling and correct verb usage (commit/burglarize) take practice.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce but often confused with 'robbery'.

Listening 2/5

Clearly pronounced in most media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

steal house crime illegal police

Learn Next

robbery larceny felony misdemeanor perpetrator

Advanced

jurisprudence mens rea aggravated indictment statute

Grammar to Know

Passive Voice

The house was burgled while we were away.

Countable Nouns

There were three burglaries this month.

Gerunds as Subjects

Preventing burglary is a priority for the police.

Attributive Nouns

We installed a burglary alarm.

Prepositional Phrases

He was arrested for burglary.

Examples by Level

There was a burglary at the shop.

Il y a eu un cambriolage au magasin.

Noun used with 'there was'.

The police are here for the burglary.

La police est là pour le cambriolage.

Definite article 'the' used.

I am afraid of burglary.

J'ai peur du cambriolage.

Noun as object of a preposition.

A burglary happened on my street.

Un cambriolage a eu lieu dans ma rue.

Subject of the verb 'happened'.

He saw a burglary.

Il a vu un cambriolage.

Object of the verb 'saw'.

The burglary was at night.

Le cambriolage a eu lieu la nuit.

Past tense 'was'.

No one was hurt in the burglary.

Personne n'a été blessé lors du cambriolage.

Prepositional phrase 'in the burglary'.

Is burglary a big problem?

Le cambriolage est-il un gros problème ?

Interrogative sentence.

The burglar committed a burglary yesterday.

Le cambrioleur a commis un cambriolage hier.

Verb 'commit' commonly used with burglary.

They reported the burglary to the police.

Ils ont signalé le cambriolage à la police.

Action of reporting a crime.

We need to prevent burglary in our town.

Nous devons prévenir les cambriolages dans notre ville.

Infinitive 'to prevent' followed by noun.

The burglary alarm went off at midnight.

L'alarme de cambriolage s'est déclenchée à minuit.

Burglary used as an attributive noun.

Was anything stolen during the burglary?

Est-ce que quelque chose a été volé pendant le cambriolage ?

Passive voice 'was stolen'.

She was shocked by the burglary of her office.

Elle a été choquée par le cambriolage de son bureau.

Preposition 'by' indicating cause.

He was arrested for burglary.

Il a été arrêté pour cambriolage.

Preposition 'for' indicating the charge.

The burglary was caught on camera.

Le cambriolage a été filmé par une caméra.

Subject in a passive sentence.

The attempted burglary failed because of the strong locks.

La tentative de cambriolage a échoué à cause des serrures solides.

Adjective 'attempted' modifying burglary.

Burglary rates have decreased this year.

Les taux de cambriolage ont diminué cette année.

Compound noun 'burglary rates'.

The insurance covers loss from burglary.

L'assurance couvre les pertes dues au cambriolage.

Abstract noun usage.

Police are looking for witnesses to the burglary.

La police recherche des témoins du cambriolage.

Noun as object of 'witnesses to'.

A residential burglary can be very traumatic.

Un cambriolage résidentiel peut être très traumatisant.

Adjective 'residential' specifying the type.

They installed cameras to deter burglary.

Ils ont installé des caméras pour dissuader les cambriolages.

Verb 'deter' often used with burglary.

The burglary was the lead story on the news.

Le cambriolage était le sujet principal aux informations.

Subject of the sentence.

He pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary.

Il a plaidé coupable de l'accusation de cambriolage.

Legal phrasing 'charge of burglary'.

Aggravated burglary carries a much heavier prison sentence.

Le cambriolage aggravé entraîne une peine de prison beaucoup plus lourde.

Term 'aggravated burglary' used.

The legal definition of burglary has evolved over time.

La définition légale du cambriolage a évolué avec le temps.

Abstract concept in a formal sentence.

The burglary was executed with professional precision.

Le cambriolage a été exécuté avec une précision professionnelle.

Adverbial phrase modifying the verb.

Victims of burglary often suffer from a sense of insecurity.

Les victimes de cambriolage souffrent souvent d'un sentiment d'insécurité.

Prepositional phrase 'victims of'.

The detective noted that it was a non-forced burglary.

Le détective a noté qu'il s'agissait d'un cambriolage sans effraction.

Adjective 'non-forced' modifying the noun.

Forensic evidence is crucial in solving a burglary.

Les preuves médico-légales sont cruciales pour résoudre un cambriolage.

Gerund 'solving' with burglary as object.

The burglary was a clear violation of their privacy.

Le cambriolage était une violation manifeste de leur vie privée.

Noun used as a predicate nominative.

Statistics show that most burglaries occur during daylight hours.

Les statistiques montrent que la plupart des cambriolages ont lieu pendant la journée.

Plural form 'burglaries'.

The socioeconomic factors contributing to burglary are complex.

Les facteurs socio-économiques contribuant au cambriolage sont complexes.

Complex noun phrase.

He was exonerated after evidence proved he wasn't involved in the burglary.

Il a été disculpé après que des preuves ont prouvé qu'il n'était pas impliqué dans le cambriolage.

Passive voice 'was exonerated'.

The legislative changes aimed to redefine burglary in the digital age.

Les changements législatifs visaient à redéfinir le cambriolage à l'ère numérique.

Infinitive 'to redefine' with burglary.

The burglary served as a catalyst for a community-wide security overhaul.

Le cambriolage a servi de catalyseur pour une refonte de la sécurité à l'échelle de la communauté.

Metaphorical use of 'catalyst'.

The perpetrator's intent is the cornerstone of a burglary conviction.

L'intention de l'auteur est la pierre angulaire d'une condamnation pour cambriolage.

Possessive 'perpetrator's intent'.

Criminologists study burglary patterns to predict future occurrences.

Les criminologues étudient les schémas de cambriolage pour prédire les occurrences futures.

Compound noun 'burglary patterns'.

The sheer audacity of the museum burglary stunned the public.

L'audace pure du cambriolage du musée a stupéfié le public.

Noun phrase 'sheer audacity of'.

The distinction between burglary and trespassing is often a matter of intent.

La distinction entre cambriolage et violation de propriété est souvent une question d'intention.

Parallel structure 'between... and'.

The common law definition of burglary required the act to be committed 'in the night-time'.

La définition du cambriolage en common law exigeait que l'acte soit commis « pendant la nuit ».

Historical legal reference.

The defense argued that the lack of felonious intent precluded a burglary charge.

La défense a fait valoir que l'absence d'intention criminelle excluait une accusation de cambriolage.

Formal legal terminology 'precluded'.

The burglary was a sophisticated operation involving several accomplices.

Le cambriolage était une opération sophistiquée impliquant plusieurs complices.

Adjective 'sophisticated' modifying burglary.

The psychological ramifications of a home burglary can persist for years.

Les ramifications psychologiques d'un cambriolage de domicile peuvent persister pendant des années.

Complex noun phrase 'psychological ramifications of'.

The court examined whether the 'breaking' element of burglary was satisfied by the use of a key.

Le tribunal a examiné si l'élément d'« effraction » du cambriolage était satisfait par l'utilisation d'une clé.

Subordinate clause 'whether... was satisfied'.

The burglary rate is often cited as a metric for urban social health.

Le taux de cambriolage est souvent cité comme une mesure de la santé sociale urbaine.

Noun as a metric.

Intricate security protocols are designed to mitigate the risk of a high-value burglary.

Des protocoles de sécurité complexes sont conçus pour atténuer le risque d'un cambriolage de grande valeur.

Infinitive 'to mitigate' with risk.

His dissertation focused on the spatial distribution of burglary in post-industrial cities.

Sa dissertation portait sur la distribution spatiale des cambriolages dans les villes post-industrielles.

Academic context.

Synonyms

housebreaking breaking and entering theft larceny raid pillaging

Antonyms

safekeeping protection

Common Collocations

commit a burglary

report a burglary

attempted burglary

residential burglary

aggravated burglary

burglary alarm

burglary prevention

solve a burglary

string of burglaries

burglary insurance

Common Phrases

breaking and entering

— The act of forcing entry into a building to commit a crime.

He was charged with breaking and entering.

hot burglary

— A burglary committed while the residents are at home.

A hot burglary is especially dangerous for the occupants.

smash and grab

— A type of burglary where a window is broken and items are taken quickly.

It was a classic smash and grab burglary.

forced entry

— Entering a building by breaking a lock or window.

There were signs of forced entry at the scene.

burglar-proof

— Designed to prevent burglary.

They installed burglar-proof windows.

caught in the act

— Caught while committing the burglary.

The thief was caught in the act of burglary.

scope out a place

— To observe a building before a burglary.

The burglars scoped out the house for days.

neighborhood watch

— A community program to prevent burglary.

The neighborhood watch has reduced burglary rates.

second-story man

— A slang term for a burglar who enters through upper floors.

He was known as a skilled second-story man.

burglarize a house

— To commit a burglary in a house.

They tried to burglarize the house down the street.

Often Confused With

burglary vs robbery

Robbery involves force against a person; burglary involves a building.

burglary vs theft

Theft is the general act of stealing; burglary requires illegal entry.

burglary vs trespassing

Trespassing is just being there; burglary is being there to commit a crime.

Idioms & Expressions

"as safe as houses"

— Very safe (ironic in the context of burglary).

I thought my jewelry was as safe as houses until the burglary.

informal

"lock, stock, and barrel"

— Including everything (often used when everything is stolen).

They took everything lock, stock, and barrel during the burglary.

neutral

"daylight robbery"

— Often used for high prices, but related to the concept of stealing.

That price is daylight robbery!

informal

"to case the joint"

— To inspect a place before committing a burglary.

The thieves were casing the joint before the burglary.

slang

"under the cover of darkness"

— Doing something secretly at night.

The burglary was committed under the cover of darkness.

literary

"to make off with"

— To steal and escape with something.

They made off with the cash after the burglary.

neutral

"to fly the coop"

— To escape, often after a crime.

By the time the police arrived, the burglar had flown the coop.

informal

"to have sticky fingers"

— To have a tendency to steal.

The suspect was known to have sticky fingers long before the burglary.

informal

"to get away with murder"

— To do something bad and not be punished (metaphorical).

He thinks he can get away with burglary.

informal

"to blow the whistle"

— To report a crime or bad behavior.

A neighbor blew the whistle on the burglary.

neutral

Easily Confused

burglary vs larceny

Both involve stealing.

Larceny is the theft itself; burglary is the entry to commit it.

He was charged with burglary and larceny.

burglary vs looting

Both involve entering and stealing.

Looting usually happens during a riot or disaster.

The burglary turned into looting during the blackout.

burglary vs shoplifting

Both involve stealing from a shop.

Shoplifting happens during business hours without illegal entry.

Shoplifting is a misdemeanor, but burglary is a felony.

burglary vs vandalism

Both involve property damage.

Vandalism is damage only; burglary is entry with intent to crime.

The window was broken for vandalism, not burglary.

burglary vs mugging

Both are crimes.

Mugging is a robbery in a public place.

He suffered a mugging on the street, not a burglary.

Sentence Patterns

There was a burglary.

There was a burglary at the school.

He committed a burglary.

He committed a burglary last night.

They reported the burglary to [someone].

They reported the burglary to the police.

The burglary was caught on [something].

The burglary was caught on camera.

The [adjective] burglary led to [result].

The daring burglary led to a nationwide manhunt.

The prosecution must prove [element] of the burglary.

The prosecution must prove the intent of the burglary.

Preventing burglary is [adjective].

Preventing burglary is difficult.

The burglary rate is [verb].

The burglary rate is falling.

Word Family

Nouns

burglar

burglary

burglarizing

Verbs

burgle (UK)

burglarize (US)

Adjectives

burglarous

burglarproof

theft

robbery

larceny

trespass

felony

How to Use It

frequency

Common in crime-related discussions.

Common Mistakes

The man burgled my wallet in the street. → The man robbed me in the street.
Burglary requires entering a building.
There was a burgary last night. → There was a burglary last night.
The spelling requires an 'l' after the 'g'.
He was arrested for robbery of the empty warehouse. → He was arrested for burglary of the empty warehouse.
If the building is empty and there is no confrontation, it is burglary.
She is a burglary. → She is a burglar.
'Burglary' is the crime; 'burglar' is the person.
They burglaried the shop. → They burglarized the shop.
The correct verb form is 'burglarize' or 'burgle'.

Tips

Don't confuse with robbery

Always check if a person was threatened. If yes, it's robbery. If just a building was entered, it's burglary.

Verb usage

In American English, use 'burglarize'. In British English, 'burgle' is more common. Both are correct.

Formal vs Informal

Use 'break-in' when talking to friends and 'burglary' in formal writing or exams.

Prevention

Using the word 'deter' is common when talking about preventing burglary with alarms and locks.

Intent

Remember that 'intent' is the most important legal part of the definition of burglary.

Check the 'L'

Make sure you include the 'l' in burglary. It's not 'burgary'.

Sociology

When writing about crime, use 'burglary rates' to sound more professional.

Property

Burglary can happen to cars in some places, but it usually refers to buildings.

Media

News reports often use 'string of burglaries' for multiple related crimes.

Stress

Always stress the first syllable: BUR-glary.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Burglar' in a 'Borough' (town) taking 'Loot' to remember BUR-G-L-ARY.

Visual Association

Imagine a person in a striped shirt and mask climbing through a window with a bag of gold.

Word Web

theft police window lock alarm prison intent entry

Challenge

Try to use 'burglary' in a sentence that also includes the words 'intent' and 'illegal entry'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle English word 'burglarie', which comes from the Anglo-Norman 'burglerie'. This is related to the word 'burglar'.

Original meaning: The act of breaking into a 'burg' (a fortified town or dwelling) with the intent to steal.

Indo-European (via Old French and Germanic roots).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing burglary with victims, as it can be a traumatic subject.

Burglary is a common topic in local news and crime fiction in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.

The Hobbit (Bilbo Baggins is hired as a 'burglar'). Home Alone (the movie centers on preventing a burglary). Sherlock Holmes stories.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Police Report

time of entry
point of entry
stolen items
suspect description

Insurance Claim

proof of loss
police report number
replacement value
forced entry

News Report

string of incidents
public safety
police appeal
under investigation

Home Security

alarm system
motion sensor
deadbolt lock
security camera

Legal Trial

intent to commit
unlawful entry
prosecution
defense

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever seen a burglary in your neighborhood?"

"What is the best way to prevent a burglary when you are on vacation?"

"Do you think burglary rates are higher in the city or the countryside?"

"How would you feel if you were a victim of a burglary?"

"What should the punishment be for someone who commits a burglary?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a fictional burglary from the perspective of a detective.

Write about the importance of feeling safe in your own home and how burglary affects that.

Compare and contrast the legal definitions of burglary and robbery.

Imagine you are an insurance agent; write a letter to a client about a burglary claim.

How has technology changed the way burglaries are committed and prevented?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Burglary is a crime against a property (entering illegally), while robbery is a crime against a person (stealing by force). You can have a burglary where no one is home, but a robbery always involves a victim.

Yes. The crime of burglary is defined by the illegal entry with the *intent* to commit a crime. If you break in intending to steal but get caught immediately, it is still burglary.

In most jurisdictions, yes, burglary is considered a serious crime or felony, especially if it involves a dwelling or a weapon.

Aggravated burglary is a more serious form of the crime where the burglar carries a weapon or causes physical harm to someone inside the building.

You should call the police immediately and avoid touching anything to preserve evidence. Then, contact your insurance company with the police report number.

Most homeowner and renter insurance policies cover theft of items during a burglary, provided there is evidence of the crime.

Historically, it meant physically breaking a door or window. Today, even walking through an unlocked door without permission can count as 'entry' for a burglary charge.

No. Shoplifting occurs when you are legally in a store. Burglary occurs when you enter illegally or stay after hours with the intent to steal.

A residential burglary is specifically when someone breaks into a place where people live, like a house or an apartment.

It comes from old words meaning 'town-stealer' or 'house-stealer', referring to the violation of a secure dwelling.