adjective
Pronunciation: /ˌklɛptəˈmænɪk/
Definition:
Inclined to steal or slightly prone to petty theft, especially in a habitual or opportunistic way, without necessarily having the medical condition of kleptomania.
Resembling or characteristic of a thief; thievish.
Etymology:
Formed in English by analogy with kleptomania and kleptomanic (rare), combining klepto- (Greek kleptein, “to steal”) + -manic (suggesting an obsessive tendency).
Usage notes:
Distinct from kleptomaniac, which refers to a person with the recognized psychological disorder kleptomania.
Often used informally or descriptively, similar in sense to thievish or light-fingered.
Examples:
“He’s a bit kleptomanic when it comes to office supplies.”
Pronunciation: /ˌklɛptəˈmænɪk/
Definition:
Inclined to steal or slightly prone to petty theft, especially in a habitual or opportunistic way, without necessarily having the medical condition of kleptomania.
Resembling or characteristic of a thief; thievish.
Etymology:
Formed in English by analogy with kleptomania and kleptomanic (rare), combining klepto- (Greek kleptein, “to steal”) + -manic (suggesting an obsessive tendency).
Usage notes:
Distinct from kleptomaniac, which refers to a person with the recognized psychological disorder kleptomania.
Often used informally or descriptively, similar in sense to thievish or light-fingered.
Examples:
“He’s a bit kleptomanic when it comes to office supplies.”
by Lucky Casualty September 02, 2025
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