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pickpocket

pickpocket

19 4.2
A person who steals wallets or phones from pockets and bags in crowds
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪkˌpɑːkɪt/
translation icon : carterista
  • The pickpocket was caught in the act just outside the busy market.

And it's not just a pickpocket on the street.

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Examples

  • A sign warned that pickpockets operated in the area.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • It was stolen by a pickpocket.

  • You know, not a lot of people know this, but I'm actually a master pickpocket.

  • What separates a good pickpocket from a great one?

  • Then there were the pickpockets, some as young as eight or nine.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • You will want to look sharp for pickpockets, though.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Colin hurried through the afternoon crowd, trying to catch up with the pickpocket.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • A sign on the wall of the car warned passengers to guard their valuables against pickpockets.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • In the commotion, Colin noticed a thick buff-colored envelope drop from the pickpocket's coat.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • A pickpocket stole my wallet while I was waiting for the bus.

Synonyms

thief
vspickpocket
754 1.0

A person who takes someone else's things without permission

is used specifically for stealing from pockets or bags in public places
crook
vspickpocket
  • Offensive
153 3.9

A dishonest person who cheats or steals

is specifically someone who steals from pockets or bags in public places
stealer
vspickpocket
4 4.6

A person who takes things that belong to others without permission

is more narrowly about stealing from pockets or bags in public places
dip
vspickpocket
  • Archaic
3 9.7

A person who steals from other people's pockets

is the standard modern term for that same action
sneak thief
vspickpocket
2 7.6

A person who secretly steals things without using force

is specific to stealing from pockets or purses in public places
cutpurse
vspickpocket
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who steals money from people's pockets or purses in public places

is the regular modern term for the same pocket or purse stealing action
larcenist
vspickpocket
  • Archaic
1 9.2

A person who steals things

is specific to stealing from pockets or purses in public places rather than general theft
pilferer
vspickpocket
1 7.3

A person who steals small things without using force

is concentrated on taking valuables from pockets or bags in public places
pickpurse
vspickpocket
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who steals money and small things from other people's pockets or bags

is the common contemporary term rather than the older expression
nimmer
vspickpocket
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who steals things from people's pockets

is the neutral standard term rather than a slang label
purloiner
vspickpocket
9.6

A person who steals things secretly

is focused on stealing from pockets or bags in public places
larcener
vspickpocket
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who illegally takes other people's things

is limited to stealing from pockets or bags in public places rather than general theft

How Serious

felon
  • US
175 5.5
robber
186 1.0
burglar
110 1.4
ganef
  • Offensive
1 9.9
pickpocket
19 4.2
pilferer
1 7.3

Surface Forms

pickpocket singular
pickpockets plural

Morphology

pickpocket = pick + pocket (transparent) = pick + pocket

The compound is a literal combination meaning someone who 'picks' (steals from) 'pockets', which is directly inferable by learners.

Etymology

The word pickpocket comes from two simple parts: pick meaning 'to take quickly' and pocket meaning 'pocket'. So a pickpocket is someone who takes things from another person's pocket without them noticing.