Loot
/luːt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo steal goods from a place or person, especially during a time of violence or disorder.
/luːt/
To steal goods, typically during a war or riot.
The rioters began to loot the stores in the shopping center.
💡 Simply: Imagine a store gets broken into and people start taking things without paying. That's looting! It's like everyone suddenly getting a free shopping spree, but it's definitely not okay.
👶 For kids: Taking things that don't belong to you, like in a game but for real, usually when there's trouble.
More Examples
After the storm, some opportunistic individuals were caught looting abandoned houses.
The soldiers were accused of looting during the conflict.
How It's Used
"Rioters looted several stores in the downtown area."
"The invading army looted the city of all its valuables."
Stolen goods or money; things acquired illegally or dishonestly.
/luːt/
Goods or money obtained illegally.
The burglars made off with a significant amount of loot from the bank.
💡 Simply: It's the stuff people steal, like the stuff taken from a bank robbery. It's the ill-gotten gains, not the things you're supposed to have.
👶 For kids: Things that someone took that they weren't supposed to.
More Examples
The pirates divided the loot amongst themselves after the successful raid.
The detectives were able to trace the loot to a local fence.
How It's Used
"The police recovered a large amount of loot from the suspects' hideout."
"The treasure chest was filled with pirate's loot."
Idioms & expressions
to make off with the loot
To steal something and escape with it.
"The thieves made off with the loot before the police arrived."
From Hindi *lūṭ* (theft), from Sanskrit *lūṭati* (he steals). It entered English during the British colonial period in India, initially referring to the spoils of war.
The word's usage has consistently related to illicit gains, initially in colonial contexts and later, more broadly, during times of civil unrest or war.
Memory tip
Think of pirates dividing up the loot after a successful raid.
Word Origin
"theft"