loot

loot — noun

1. valuable items or money that are taken illegally, for instance goods stolen from

1.名詞B2
釋義

valuable items or money that are taken illegally, for instance goods stolen from shops during a riot or treasures seized by an invading army

例句

The thieves hid the loot in an old warehouse outside the city.

collocation: hide loot / recover loot

Police recovered most of the loot from a storage unit near the airport.

同義詞
  • booty

    more specific to goods taken in war or by pirates; less common in everyday speech

  • spoils

    often describes goods taken by a victorious army; slightly formal

  • swag

    informal slang, often used for stolen goods from a robbery

用法筆記

Unlike 'theft' or 'stolen goods', 'loot' often suggests goods taken during a chaotic event such as war, rioting, or natural disaster.

常見錯誤

The shoplifter hid his loot under his coat.
The shoplifter hid the stolen items under his coat.
💡'loot' is not used for ordinary shoplifting; it suggests large-scale or violent theft.

2. in video games, items, weapons, or equipment that a player finds or earns, for e

2.名詞B1
釋義

in video games, items, weapons, or equipment that a player finds or earns, for example after defeating an enemy or opening a treasure chest

例句

Every time Wei defeats a boss, he collects rare loot that improves his character.

collocation: rare loot / collect loot

Players can trade their extra loot with others at the market in the game.

同義詞
  • rewards

    broader term; 'loot' in gaming is always a type of reward

  • drops

    gaming slang for items left by defeated enemies; more specific than 'loot'

常見錯誤

I found good loot at the mall today.
I found good loot in the dungeon after defeating the monsters.
💡In everyday language, 'loot' for real shopping sounds odd; this sense is limited to video games.

3. an informal way of saying money, often used to suggest a large or impressive amo

3.名詞B2
釋義

an informal way of saying money, often used to suggest a large or impressive amount

例句

After winning the lottery, Jada joked that she had plenty of loot to spend.

informal register: slang for money

Elena saved her loot from two summer jobs to buy a second-hand car.

同義詞
  • cash

    neutral and common; 'loot' is more informal and flashy

  • dough

    similar informal slang; slightly old-fashioned

  • bread

    slang from the mid-20th century; less common today

用法筆記

Distinguish from senses 1 and 2: this sense does not carry the idea of theft or gaming. It is simply a playful or stylish substitute for 'money'.

常見錯誤

I need to go to the bank to withdraw some loot.
I need to go to the bank to withdraw some cash.
💡'loot' as a slang term for money sounds unnatural in formal or neutral contexts like banking.

loot — verb