boost

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

To steal.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

It is not at all unusual or suspicious for a woman to spend a good deal of the day out shopping, and feminine clothing styles often make it relatively easy for a female shoplifter to conceal "boosted" merchandise on her person.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “boost” mean?

To steal.

Is “boost” formal or informal?

boost is generally slang.