Steal vs. Steel: What's the Difference?
The words steal and steel are homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Steal is a verb that means to take something without permission, often secretly or without the owner realizing it. On the other hand, steel is primarily a noun referring to a hard, strong alloy made mainly of iron and carbon; it can also be used as an adjective to describe something made of or resembling steel in strength or hardness.
How do you use the word steal in a sentence?
Use the word steal primarily as a verb to describe the act of taking something that belongs to someone else without permission or legal right and without intending to return it. It implies an illegal or unethical activity that can range from petty theft to grand larceny.
Examples of steal in a sentence
- She couldn't believe her brother would steal money from the family business.
- During the blackout, looters took advantage to steal electronics from the abandoned stores.
- The magician managed to steal the audience's attention with his captivating performance.
How do you use the word steel in a sentence?
When using the word steel, you're typically referring to the strong metal alloy or using it as an adjective to describe the durability and strength of an object. It can also be a verb meaning to mentally prepare oneself to do or face something difficult.
Examples of steel in a sentence
- The bridge is constructed of reinforced steel to ensure it can withstand heavy traffic.
- Before the difficult conversation with her team, she had to steel herself for potential backlash.
- The chef's new set of steel knives was sharp enough to cut through the toughest meats.
Steal and steel definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Steal definition:
Steal (verb): To take another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
Steal parts of speech:
Steal pronunciation:
Steal is pronounced /stiːl/, rhyming with feel, peel, and reel.
Steel definition:
Steel (noun): A hard, strong grey or bluish-grey alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used as a structural and fabricating material.
Steel parts of speech:
Steel pronunciation:
Steel is pronounced /stiːl/, identical in pronunciation to 'steal.'
Steal (verb): To take another person's property without permission or legal right and without intending to return it.
Steal parts of speech:
- As a verb: 'You should never steal, regardless of the circumstances.'
- Informally, as a noun (colloquial): 'Getting those tickets for free was a real steal.'
Steal pronunciation:
Steal is pronounced /stiːl/, rhyming with feel, peel, and reel.
Steel definition:
Steel (noun): A hard, strong grey or bluish-grey alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used as a structural and fabricating material.
Steel parts of speech:
- As a noun: 'The steel girders support the weight of the building.'
- As an adjective: 'Her steel resolve was admired by her colleagues.'
Steel pronunciation:
Steel is pronounced /stiːl/, identical in pronunciation to 'steal.'
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