What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
larcenist
Example
The police arrested the larcenist for stealing jewelry from the store. [larcenist: noun]
Example
He was known as a notorious larcenist who targeted wealthy neighborhoods. [larcenist: adjective]
thief
Example
The thief stole my wallet while I was distracted. [thief: noun]
Example
She was caught stealing from the store and charged with theft. [theft: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thief is more commonly used than larcenist in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Larcenist is less common and may be considered outdated or archaic in some contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between larcenist and thief?
Larcenist is a more formal term than thief and is often used in legal or criminal contexts. Thief is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.