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Thief vs Heist - What's the difference?

thief | heist |

As nouns the difference between thief and heist

is that thief is one who has carried out a theft while heist is a robbery or burglary, especially from an institution such as a bank or museum.

As a verb heist is

to steal, rob, or hold up (something).

thief

English

Noun

(thieves)
  • One who has carried out a theft.
  • (obsolete) A waster in the snuff of a candle.
  • (Bishop Hall)

    Hyponyms

    * burglar * cat burglar * mugger * robber * pickpocket

    Derived terms

    * *

    heist

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A robbery or burglary, especially from an institution such as a bank or museum.
  • * '>citation
  • (slang) A heist film: a film whose plot centers around an attempted robbery.
  • * 2008 March 6, Robert Wilonsky, "Fast and Loose", '' volume 32 number 10, page 28,
  • The Bank Job is also the first proper Jason Statham movie since his days banging about in Guy Ritchie's early heists .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To steal, rob or hold up (something).
  • Derived terms

    * heister

    Verb

    (head)