shoplifter

[shop-lif-ter]

noun

1. a person who steals goods from the shelves or displays of a retail store while posing as a customer.

shoplifter

/ ˈʃɒpˌlɪftə /

noun

1. a person who steals goods from a shop during shopping hours

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoplifter¹

1670–80; obsolete shoplift shoplifter ( shop + lift ) + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Sainsbury's is planning to introduce facial recognition technology across its supermarkets in a bid to identify shoplifters.

From BBC

"By greeting genuine shoppers, not only does this provide a positive impression of your store, it also deters potential shoplifters," the force said.

From BBC

"We'd like customers to help us lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters," Mr Walker said.

From BBC

Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has said shoplifters "will be pursued and will face consequences" regardless of how much they steal, as she visited a town centre.

From BBC

Salvador Villa was working as an armed security guard at a Target store in downtown Los Angeles late last December when he confronted a suspected shoplifter.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bandit 
• burglar 
• con artist 
• crook 
• looter www.thesaurus.com
• marauder 
• mugger 
• pickpocket 
• pirate 
• raider 
• rustler 
• swindler 
• thief 
• thug