klepto-

prefix

stealing, theft

OriginAncient Greek κλέπτης ← Proto-Indo-European *klep- →
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Meanings

prefix

alternative clepto-

  1. stealing, theft

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*klep-“to steal”
  2. Ancient Greekκλέπτης“thief”
  3. Englishklepto-

Representing a combining form of Ancient Greek κλέπτης (kléptēs, “thief”), κλέπτω (kléptō, “to steal”), from Proto-Indo-European *klep- (“to steal”). Cognate with Gothic 𐌷𐌻𐌹𐍆𐌰𐌽 (hlifan, “to steal”), Gothic 𐌷𐌻𐌹𐍆𐍄𐌿𐍃 (hliftus, “thief”).

More words from Ancient Greek, Proto-Indo-European

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

klepto-. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/klepto-

MLA

“klepto-.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/klepto-. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “klepto-,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/klepto-.

Source: klepto- on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.