Burgled vs. Burglarized: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023

"Burgled" and "burglarized" both mean unlawfully entering a property to commit theft, but "burglarized" is more commonly used in American English.

Burgled vs. Burglarized

Key Differences

A term used primarily in British English to describe the act of breaking into a property to commit theft. Burglarized: More commonly used in American English, it also refers to the illegal entry into a property with the intent to steal.

Nov 29, 2023

Often implies a somewhat stealthy or surreptitious method of entry. Burglarized: Emphasizes the illegality of the action and is used in a broader sense in legal and colloquial contexts in the U.S.

Nov 29, 2023

The term is derived from "burglar," which historically refers to a thief who breaks into a house. Burglarized: Comes from the same root but has become more Americanized in usage and application.

Nov 29, 2023

Typically used to describe the action of the thief directly. Burglarized: Often used to describe the state or condition of the property after the event.

Nov 29, 2023

May carry a slightly less formal connotation in everyday speech. Burglarized: Tends to be used in more formal or legal descriptions of the crime in the U.S.

Nov 29, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Usage

More common in British English

More common in American English

Nov 29, 2023

Connotation

Implies stealthy method of entry

Emphasizes illegality of the action

Nov 29, 2023

Derivation

Directly from "burglar"

Americanized form of "burglar"

Nov 29, 2023

Description Focus

Action of the thief

State of the property

Nov 29, 2023

Formality

Less formal in everyday speech

More formal, especially in legal contexts

Nov 29, 2023

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Burgled and Burglarized Definitions

Burgled

Engaging in the act of burglary.

They burgled the house while the owners were away.

Nov 22, 2023

Burglarized

To have been the victim of burglary.

Our office was burglarized over the weekend.

Nov 22, 2023

Burgled

To steal from a place by illegal entry.

A local shop was burgled during the power outage.

Nov 22, 2023

Burglarized

To suffer theft from an illegal entry.

The antique store was burglarized, and many items were taken.

Nov 22, 2023

Burgled

Committing theft by breaking into a place.

The museum was burgled despite high security.

Nov 22, 2023

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Burglarized

Experiencing the crime of burglary.

The school was burglarized, and computers were stolen.

Nov 22, 2023

Burgled

To illegally enter a building with intent to commit theft.

The jewelry store was burgled last night.

Nov 22, 2023

Burglarized

The act of committing burglary.

The warehouse was burglarized last night.

Nov 22, 2023

Burgled

To perform an act of burglary.

The thieves burgled three homes in one night.

Nov 22, 2023

Burglarized

Illegally entering a property to steal.

Their home was burglarized while they were on vacation.

Nov 22, 2023

Burgled

To burglarize.

Oct 19, 2023

Burglarized

To commit burglary in (a building or other premises).

Oct 19, 2023

Burgled

Simple past tense and past participle of burgle

Oct 19, 2023

Burglarized

To commit burglary against (someone)

The second-floor tenants have been burglarized twice.

Oct 19, 2023

Burglarized

To commit burglary.

Oct 19, 2023

Burglarized

Simple past tense and past participle of burglarize

Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What does burgled mean?

Illegally entering a building to steal.

Nov 29, 2023

What does burglarized mean?

The act or result of being a victim of burglary.

Nov 29, 2023

Is burgled used in American English?

Less commonly; "burglarized" is preferred.

Nov 29, 2023

Do both terms imply theft?

Yes, both involve the intent to steal.

Nov 29, 2023

Is burglarized a legal term in the U.S.?

Yes, it's commonly used in legal contexts.

Nov 29, 2023

Can businesses be burgled?

Yes, any property can be burgled.

Nov 29, 2023

What is the noun form of burgled?

Burglary.

Nov 29, 2023

Can a person be burgled?

No, it refers to a property, not a person.

Nov 29, 2023

Can a person be burglarized?

The term refers to property, not individuals.

Nov 29, 2023

Is burgled a legal term?

It's used in legal contexts, especially in the UK.

Nov 29, 2023

Is it correct to say a house was burgled?

Yes, it's a common usage.

Nov 29, 2023

Do both terms require actual theft to occur?

Yes, the intent to steal is key in both.

Nov 29, 2023

Can businesses be burglarized?

Yes, businesses can be victims of burglary.

Nov 29, 2023

How is burgled pronounced?

It's pronounced 'bur-guhld'.

Nov 29, 2023

Can a vehicle be burglarized?

More commonly referred to as a break-in for vehicles.

Nov 29, 2023

What is the noun form of burglarized?

Burglary.

Nov 29, 2023

How is burglarized pronounced?

Pronounced 'bur-gluh-raized'.

Nov 29, 2023

Is it correct to say a house was burglarized?

Yes, especially in American English.

Nov 29, 2023

Are both terms synonymous?

Essentially, though usage varies by region.

Nov 29, 2023

Can a vehicle be burgled?

Typically, the term is used for buildings.

Nov 29, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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