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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Steal Meaning, Examples & Correct Usage (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：take secretly (steal)

steal 🔊

/stiːl/

To secretly take something that belongs to someone else without permission and with no plan to give it back.

Steal action: hand taking wallet from backpack

take secretly 🔊

➕

/teɪk ˈsiːkrɪtli/

To take something that belongs to another person without their knowledge or consent, often in a sneaky manner.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'stelan', from Proto-Germanic *stelaną.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a thief 'stealing' away in 'stealth' mode — both start with 'st-' and imply secrecy.

📖 Example

The security camera caught him trying to steal a chocolate bar from the store. 🔊 A security camera recorded his attempt to steal a chocolate bar from the store.

🔗 Collocations

steal a wallet – To take a wallet without permission

steal someone's purse – To take another person's purse stealthily

steal from a store – To commit theft in a retail establishment

🔄 Synonyms

take (v.) – To acquire possession of something, often without permission in this context.

pilfer (v.) – To steal small items, often casually or repeatedly.

swipe (v.) – A casual or informal term for stealing something quickly.

🚫 Antonyms

give (v.) – To freely transfer possession of something to another.

return (v.) – To give back something that was taken or borrowed.

donate (v.) – To give something voluntarily for a good cause.

🌱 Derivatives

stealing (n.) – The act of theft.

stealer (n.) – A person who steals.

stealth (n.) – The quality of being secretive or covert.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'steal' has remained remarkably stable across Germanic languages for over 1000 years, appearing in the epic poem Beowulf.

Meaning 2：sneak quietly (steal)

steal 🔊

/stiːl/

To move or act secretly and quietly without being noticed.

Steal movement: person tip-toeing quietly at night

sneak quietly 🔊

➕

/sniːk ˈkwaɪətli/

To move, act, or do something in a secretive, quiet manner to avoid drawing attention.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

She tried to steal a glance at her birthday present when her mom wasn't looking. 🔊 She attempted to steal a look at her birthday gift while her mother was not paying attention.

🔗 Collocations

steal a glance – To look quickly and secretly at something.

steal a kiss – To kiss someone secretly.

steal away – To leave quietly and unnoticed.

🔄 Synonyms

sneak (v.) – To move or act in a stealthy, furtive manner.

creep (v.) – To move slowly and quietly, often in a cautious or fearful way.

tiptoe (v.) – To walk quietly on the tips of one's toes to avoid making noise.

🚫 Antonyms

march (v.) – To walk in a determined, conspicuous way.

parade (v.) – To walk in a showy or public manner.

🌱 Derivatives

stealthy (adj.) – Characterized by secrecy or caution.

stealthily (adv.) – In a secret or quiet manner.

stealth (n.) – The quality of being secretive.

Meaning 3：intercept the ball (steal)

steal 🔊

/stiːl/

In sports like basketball or baseball, to take the ball or puck from an opposing player.

Steal in sports: basketball player intercepting ball

intercept the ball 🔊

➕

/ˌɪntərˈsept ðə bɔːl/

In team sports, to legally take possession of the ball or puck from an opponent, usually by intercepting a pass or knocking it away.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

With ten seconds left, he made a crucial steal and passed the ball to his teammate for the winning shot. 🔊 With only ten seconds remaining, he executed a critical steal and then passed the ball to his teammate who made the game-winning shot.

🔗 Collocations

make a steal – To successfully take the ball from an opponent.

steal the ball – To gain possession of the ball by intercepting or knocking it away.

steal the puck – To take the puck from an opposing player in ice hockey.

🔄 Synonyms

intercept (v.) – To stop and take control of a pass or movement intended for someone else.

take away (v. phrase) – To remove the ball from an opponent's possession.

snatch (v.) – To grab quickly and forcibly, often used in a sports context.

🚫 Antonyms

lose possession (v. phrase) – To give up control of the ball through a mistake or turnover.

fumble (v.) – To drop or mishandle the ball, resulting in loss of possession.

🌱 Derivatives

stealer (n.) – A player who makes a steal.

stealing (n.) – The number of steals a player accumulates.