larceny

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "larceny" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to the taking or stealing of someone else's belongings without permission. You can use it when you want to refer to theft or stealing in a legal or formal context. Example sentence: The police suspected the suspect of committing larceny.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Falkirk endured the pain of discovering that larceny can be as central to a cup final as the presentation of the trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

The madman must be stopped so that everyday larceny can continue.

The Guardian - Film

She was charged with grand larceny and aggravated harassment after she was accused of extorting $6,000 from Cashman.

The New York Times - Sports

But larceny, even with a (relatively) respectable face, is still larceny.

The Economist

The interdisciplinary adventurism it embodied peeved other social scientists, who doubted that cool-headed analysis played much part in matters of love or larceny.

The Economist

He is the man who once accused Margaret Thatcher of imposing a "government of occupation" on Scots, and referred to the British government's taxation of oil revenues from Scottish waters as probably "the greatest act of international larceny since the Spanish stole the Inca gold".As first minister, he has shown a genius for stoking cross-border resentments.

The Economist

What looks like larceny is really a kind of justice.

The Economist

Others believe that the murder was ordered by one of the factions in Chechnya, whose brutality and larceny she passionately chronicled.Ms Politkovskaya's diaries are both gripping and flawed.

The Economist

A fierce left-winger in his youth, before a more recent conversion to talk of Nordic, business-friendly social democracy, he once called the use of North Sea oil revenues by the British government "probably the greatest act of international larceny since the Spanish stole the Inca gold".

The Economist

Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister and SNP leader, calls it "larceny" that revenues from oil and gas production, most of which comes from Scottish waters, have stuffed London's coffers for the past 40 years.

The Economist

The larceny was discovered after an accountant climbed a stack of barrels to take inventory and nearly toppled an empty one.To the delight of headline writers everywhere, it appeared a maple-syrup mob was involved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing theft, consider whether "larceny" accurately reflects the specific type of stealing involved, as it excludes acts like robbery (which involves force) or embezzlement (which involves a breach of trust).

Common error

Don't use "larceny" interchangeably with terms like "robbery" or "burglary". "Larceny" specifically refers to the unlawful taking of personal property without the use of force or breaking and entering. Using it incorrectly can lead to legal inaccuracies.

Linguistic Context

Larceny functions primarily as a noun, referring to the unlawful taking of personal property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing specific legal charges and general acts of stealing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Larceny" is a noun referring to the unlawful taking of personal property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner. It's a term frequently found in legal contexts, news reports, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, highlighting its role in describing specific types of theft. While alternatives like "theft" and "stealing" exist, "larceny" provides a more formal and legally precise designation. Understanding its usage and distinctions from related terms is crucial for clear and accurate communication, particularly in legal and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

theft

A general term for the act of stealing, less formal than "larceny".

stealing

The act of taking something dishonestly; very similar in meaning but more commonly used.

thievery

Similar to "theft", but can imply a more organized or habitual pattern.

grand theft

Specific type of theft involving items of significant value, often a legal term.

petty theft

Theft involving items of small value, the opposite of grand theft.

pilfering

Stealing small items or amounts, often from a workplace or in secret.

embezzlement

Theft of funds or property by someone in a position of trust.

fraud

Deceit or trickery used to obtain money or property illicitly.

swindling

Obtaining money or property by deception.

misappropriation

Dishonest or illegal use of someone else's money or property.

FAQs

What is the precise legal definition of "larceny"?

"Larceny" is legally defined as the trespassory taking and carrying away of personal goods from the possession of another with the intention to steal, distinguishing it from other forms of theft like robbery or embezzlement.

When is it appropriate to use the word "larceny" instead of "theft"?

Use "larceny" in legal or formal contexts where a precise distinction is needed. In everyday conversation, "theft" is generally sufficient, but legal documents may require the more specific term "larceny".

How does "larceny" differ from "robbery"?

"Larceny" involves the unlawful taking of property without force or threat, whereas "robbery" involves the use of force or threat to take property from another person.

What are some common examples of "larceny"?

Examples of "larceny" include shoplifting, pickpocketing, and stealing a bicycle, as long as these acts do not involve the use of force or threat. Otherwise, it could be classified as "robbery".