To take something that belongs to someone else without permission and without intending to give it back.
From Old English “stelan,” meaning to take or commit theft. It is related to old Germanic words about hidden or secret taking.
We use “steal” even for non‑objects: you can “steal a glance” or “steal the show,” meaning you take attention in a sneaky way. The core idea is always the same—getting something that wasn’t really meant for you.
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