Dictionary

larceny

theft/stealing, especially (in the US) the crime of taking something that does not belong to you with the intention never to return it to its owner He pleaded not guilty to larceny and is awaiting trial.

Common Mistakes

  • The terms robbery, burglary, theft,and larceny all refer to forms of stealing (=the crime of taking something that does not belong to you with the intention never to return it to its owner). However, people are robbed (usually by force or threat), places (buildings, ships, or vehicles) are burgled (usually following a thief breaking and entering) and things (personal property or services) are the objects of larceny or theft.

Phrase Bank

  • They were convicted of larceny.
  • The act only amounted to petty (=minor) larceny.
  • He is facing grand larceny charges.
  • The larceny suspect was finally caught.

Additional Notes

  • In the US, grand larceny (usually defined as a theft of property over $500) is considered a felony (=serious crime), while petty larceny (a theft of property worth less than $500) is considered a misdemeanor (=minor crime).
  • In English law, the crime of larceny no longer exists and has been replaced by the crime of theft.