purloin

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "purloin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of stealing or taking something, especially in a sneaky or secretive manner. Example: "He decided to purloin a few items from the store when no one was watching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Power to the owners Rally drivers The enemy within Hugo Chávez's rotten legacy Reprints Related topics Vladimir Putin Russia Sergei MagnitskyThe ensuing attack on Hermitage eventually involved a huge fraud, by officials and police officers with the connivance of the courts, which used the wreckage of the firm to purloin a tax refund of $230m from the Russian exchequer.

The Economist

Old vulnerabilities are creeping back.In this section Wedge beyond the edge Now you see them Out of the zone Hacking back Less coin to purloin The cost of cosiness Frost in spring Financial indulgence ReprintsThe 1990s crises were a Damascene moment for emerging markets, prompting broad changes in policy.

The Economist

The EU, meanwhile, is leaning on governments everywhere to stamp on foodmakers who purloin European names.Americans are unimpressed.

The Economist

Creative industries employ millions of people in the advanced world (and could be a rung on the ladder for poorer countries too, if, say, unscrupulous European content thieves did not habitually purloin the efforts of African musicians).

The Economist

The answer seems to be yes.In this section Wedge beyond the edge Now you see them Out of the zone Hacking back Less coin to purloin The cost of cosiness Frost in spring Financial indulgence ReprintsThe paper looks at county-level crime data in Missouri from 1990 to 2011, a period when crime dropped markedly all over the rich world.

The Economist

Because Ford and Volvo are joined at the hip in engineering terms, Geely has been forced to go to considerable lengths to reassure Ford that it will not simply purloin the pair's advanced platforms and powertrains for its existing car business.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

After a short interval, another pair appeared, and constructed a habitation, chiefly with materials purloined from the other nests.

The Guardian

But it wasn't all kissing lambs and dressing up as The Stig for Jeremy Clarkson's birthday, and riding purloined police horses through the Chilterns, flaxen hair-a-billow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Purloining an old Tory slogan, he has rebranded his party "One Nation Labour" and suggests he is hungry, as Mr Blair was, to claim the centre ground.

The Economist

The hackers have claimed that, in some cases, personally identifiable data, such as people's names and mobile-phone numbers, were linked to some of the UDIDs it purloined.

The Economist

Ed Miliband's effort to rebrand the Labour Party by purloining a phrase from 19th-century Conservatism was always hard to fathom, not least grammatically.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "purloin" to add a touch of sophistication or formality when describing theft, especially in writing. It suggests a deliberate, though not necessarily violent, act of taking something without permission.

Common error

Avoid using "purloin" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its somewhat archaic and formal tone can sound out of place. Opt for more common synonyms like "steal" or "take" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "purloin" is as a verb. It describes the action of taking someone else's property, often implying a surreptitious or dishonest manner. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing fraudulent activities and thefts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "purloin" is a verb that means to take the property of another, often in breach of trust. While grammatically correct and usable, according to Ludwig, it is more formal and less frequently used in casual contexts. Its primary function is to describe an act of theft with an element of secrecy or deception. The word appears most often in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. For everyday conversation, consider using more common synonyms like "steal" or "take".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steal

A general term for taking something without permission. "Steal" is more common and less formal than "purloin".

pilfer

Implies stealing small items or amounts, often repeatedly. "Pilfer" suggests petty theft, while "purloin" can refer to more significant items.

filch

Suggests snatching something quickly and secretly. "Filch" implies a quicker, less planned act than "purloin".

appropriate wrongfully

Highlights the illegality of taking something. "Appropriate wrongfully" is more formal and legalistic compared to "purloin".

misappropriate

Similar to "appropriate wrongfully", indicating the incorrect or illegal use of something. It is more formal and less direct than "purloin".

embezzle

Refers to misappropriating funds or assets, typically by someone in a position of trust. "Embezzle" is specifically about financial theft, whereas "purloin" is more general.

abstract

Implies taking something away, often in a detached or clinical manner. "Abstract" is more formal and less directly accusatory than "purloin".

snatch

Suggests a sudden and forceful taking. "Snatch" implies more force than "purloin", which can be subtle.

swipe

An informal term for stealing, often used for minor items. "Swipe" is much more casual than "purloin".

lift

A colloquial term for stealing, often suggesting a skillful or effortless act. "Lift" is more casual and less accusatory than "purloin".

FAQs

How do you use "purloin" in a sentence?

The word "purloin" means to steal something, often in a breach of trust. For example, "The official used his position to "appropriate wrongfully" funds from the company" or "The thief attempted to "filch" valuable artifacts from the museum."

What words are similar to "purloin"?

Synonyms for "purloin" include "steal", "pilfer", "filch", and "appropriate wrongfully". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "purloin" a formal or informal word?

"Purloin" is considered a more formal and somewhat archaic word for stealing. It's more appropriate for formal writing or when you want to add a touch of sophistication to your language. In casual conversation, words like "steal" or "swipe" are more common.

What is the difference between "purloin" and "steal"?

While both "purloin" and "steal" refer to taking something without permission, "purloin" often implies a breach of trust or a secretive act. "Steal" is a more general and widely used term.