Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

burgle

/ˈbɝɡl̩/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.01 in modern English

Syllables: bur-gle
IPA: /ˈbɝɡl̩/

9

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To commit burglary.

verb

To take the ball legally from an opposing player.

British usage

Example Sentences

"In St. Louis, burglars burgle by daylight"
"The New York World has coined a new verb -- "to burgle.""
"The language grows apace. A "cablegram" has been received, and $400 have been "burgled.""
"Burgled his safe and bolted with the tin."
"[S]he went and burgled three pears out of the dish ..."
"Conceive the Great Lexicographer admitting to his Dictionary such excrescencies as: "Burgle, verb active, To break into a dwelling-house,""

Etymology

Back-formation from burglar (1867).

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbɝɡl̩/
British English: /ˈbɜːɡl̩/

Usage

British usage

Inflected Forms

burgles (present, singular) burgling (participle, present) burgled (participle, past) burgled (past)

Derived Forms

unburgled

Phrases

cat-burgle breaking and entering

Frequently Paired Words

burglar burglary cat-burgle burglarize breaking and entering rob steal thieve

Synonyms

burglarize burglarise heist

Rhymes With

gurgle

Questions

How do you pronounce burgle?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbɝɡl̩/.
What does burgle mean?: To commit burglary.
Where does burgle come from?: Back-formation from burglar (1867).

How to pronounce burgle

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “burgle”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbɝɡl̩/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “burgle”.
Repeat and practice — Say “burgle” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.