v (1)偷(窃)(take (sb's property) secretly without any right or permission)[I，I+prep(from)，T+n，T+n+prep (from)]：Jack often～s.杰克经常偷东西。～from the rich 从富人那儿偷东西;～information窃取情报;～sb's money/sb's bicycle/sb's jewellery 偷某人的钱/自行车/珠宝;have one's watch stolen 表被偷了;～a bun/a necklace/a painting from a shop 从店中偷一个甜面包/一条项链/一幅画;〖同〗take，lift;

(2)偷偷地得到(get or obtain (sth) quickly，esp by a surprise or a trick)[T+n，T+n+prep](fml)：～a few minutes' sleep 挤出几分钟睡觉;～sb's heart 巧妙地博取某人的欢心;～a glance/a glimpse/a look at sb in a mirror 在镜子中偷瞥某人一眼;～a kiss from sb 冷不防吻某人;～time from one's lessons (to read novels) 上课时间忙里偷闲(看小说);

(3)溜(进，出，走……)(move secretly and quietly，without being observed)[I+prep (into)，I+adv (in/out/away)]：～into a room/the harbour 潜入室内/港口;Light stole through the shutters. 光悄悄透过百叶窗。Mist stole over the valley. 薄雾不知不觉地笼罩了山谷。Evening shadows stole across the ground. 暮色悄然降临大地。Tears stole down his cheek. 眼泪不知不觉地流下脸庞。～quietly out of a meeting/a house 偷偷溜出会场/房子;Time～s away from you. 时间从你身边溜掉。The hours/months～by. 几个小时/月的时光悄然流逝。〖同〗slip，glide;

→′stealage n 偷盗;失窃;′stealer n 偷取(干)者;抢先者;′stealing n 偷盗;行窃;(pl)赃物;adj 偷盗的;行窃的;偷偷移动的;

steal a march (on sb)占先，抢在某人之前：Jack stole a march on his rivals by ingratiating himself with Jennie. 杰克抢在对手之前讨得珍妮的欢心。

steal the scene/show(处于次要地位的人)抢出风头：The comedian stole the show in the first public performance. 第一次公开演出中，那位喜剧演员抢尽了风头。

n (1)偷窃(theft;act of stealing)[C](AmE，sl);

(2)很便宜的东西(good bargain)[C](infml)(尤AmE)：The radio is a～at only $15. 这收音机太便宜了，才15美元。

→stealth n 秘密行动;′stealthy adj 偷偷的;暗中进行的;′stealthily adv 偷偷地;暗中进行地;′stealthiness n 偷偷摸摸的行为;

【辨异】steal与rob和burgle的区别见ROB。