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

ADVERTISEMENT

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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

ADVERTISEMENT

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

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

Casserole vs. Stew

Burgled vs. Burglarized

Leaf vs. Leaflet

Burgled vs. Burglarized

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.

Trending Comparisons

Poem vs. Poetry

Poem vs. Poetry

December 25, 2023

A poem is a piece of writing that expresses ideas and emotions with a distinctive style and rhythm; poetry is the art form of writing such pieces.

Celsius vs. Kelvin

Celsius vs. Kelvin

January 1, 2024

Celsius is a temperature scale with 0°C as water's freezing point and 100°C its boiling point, while Kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero (0 K).

LTE vs. CDMA

February 4, 2024

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a 4G wireless communication standard with high-speed data transfer, while CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is an older 2G/3G technology for mobile networks.

Smart TV vs. Android TV

Smart TV vs. Android TV

December 25, 2023

A Smart TV is an internet-connected television with a variety of apps, while an Android TV is specifically a Smart TV powered by Google's Android TV operating system.

Japanese Eyes vs. Chinese Eyes

Japanese Eyes vs. Chinese Eyes

December 25, 2023

Japanese Eyes and Chinese Eyes refer to linguistic structures in Japanese and Chinese respectively, each reflecting unique aspects of grammar and syntax.

Seagate Exos x16 vs. Seagate Exos x18

Seagate Exos x16 vs. Seagate Exos x18

February 8, 2024

The Seagate Exos X16 offers up to 16TB storage with a focus on high-capacity data centers, while the Exos X18 upgrades to 18TB, enhancing performance and capacity for enterprise demands.

White Collar Crime vs. Blue Collar Crime

White Collar Crime vs. Blue Collar Crime

December 25, 2023

White Collar Crime involves non-violent, financially motivated offenses often committed by professionals, while Blue Collar Crime refers to physical or violent crimes often by manual laborers.

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

January 10, 2024

Inox is a synonym for stainless steel, used mainly in Europe, while stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant alloy containing chromium.

NAT vs. PAT

March 5, 2024

NAT (Network Address Translation) translates private IP addresses to a public one for internet access. PAT (Port Address Translation) maps multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP using different ports.

Social Change vs. Cultural Change

Social Change vs. Cultural Change

December 25, 2023

Social change refers to shifts in societal structures and institutions, impacting behaviors and relationships among people. Cultural change pertains to alterations in a group's shared beliefs, values, and customs, influencing their way of life.

Assemble vs. Build

Assemble vs. Build

December 25, 2023

Assemble refers to the act of gathering and organizing pre-existing components, while build involves the creation of something new by combining various materials or elements.

Oscar vs. Emmy

February 20, 2024

The Oscar is an award for cinematic achievements, while the Emmy recognizes excellence in television.

2 Pole Motors vs. 4 Pole Motors

2 Pole Motors vs. 4 Pole Motors

December 25, 2023

2 Pole Motors have one pair of magnetic poles and run at higher speeds, while 4 Pole Motors have two pairs of poles and operate at lower speeds, offering higher torque.

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

December 25, 2023

A Hard Copy is a physical version of a document or file, usually on paper, while a Soft Copy is a digital version of the document, stored electronically.

Payment vs. Remittance

Payment vs. Remittance

April 9, 2024

Payment is a transfer of money for goods or services, while remittance involves sending money to a distant location, often overseas.

Nike Air Force 1 LE vs. Nike Air Force 1 '07

Nike Air Force 1 LE vs. Nike Air Force 1 ’07

April 16, 2024

Nike Air Force 1 LE often represents limited edition releases with unique designs, while Nike Air Force 1 '07 is a modern version of the classic, maintaining the iconic style with updated materials.

Catapult vs. Trebuchet

Catapult vs. Trebuchet

January 4, 2024

A catapult is a ballistic device using tension or torsion to launch projectiles, while a trebuchet is a type of catapult using a counterweight for greater force and distance.

Gorilla Glass 3 vs. Gorilla Glass 5

Gorilla Glass 3 vs. Gorilla Glass 5

January 1, 2024

Gorilla Glass 3 offers improved scratch resistance and durability compared to its predecessors, while Gorilla Glass 5 focuses on enhanced drop protection and toughness.

Gorilla Glass vs. Panda Glass

Gorilla Glass vs. Panda Glass

January 5, 2024

Gorilla Glass is a highly durable, scratch-resistant glass used in electronic devices, while Panda Glass is a similar protective glass known for its high transparency and toughness.

ISO 9000 vs. ISO 14000

ISO 9000 vs. ISO 14000

February 13, 2024

ISO 9000 focuses on quality management and customer satisfaction, whereas ISO 14000 concentrates on environmental management and reducing environmental impact.

Analog Computer vs. Digital Computer

Analog Computer vs. Digital Computer

December 25, 2023

An Analog Computer processes continuous data, whereas a Digital Computer processes data in discrete numerical form.

Ginger vs. Redhead

Ginger vs. Redhead

February 2, 2024

"Ginger" often connotes a fiery red hair color and a pale complexion, while "redhead" is a more general term for anyone with red hair, regardless of shade or skin tone.

Big vs. Small

December 25, 2023

Big refers to large size, quantity, or importance, while small denotes a lesser size, amount, or significance.

Grand Opening vs. Soft Opening

Grand Opening vs. Soft Opening

December 25, 2023

A Grand Opening is a highly publicized and celebratory launch of a business or venue, while a Soft Opening is a more subdued trial opening, often with limited services or a smaller audience.

Featured Comparisons

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Helicopter vs. Chopper

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Fate vs. Destiny

Fate vs. Destiny

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Cuddle vs. Snuggle

Coyote vs. Jackal

Coyote vs. Jackal