stole

1 of 2

past tense of steal

stole

2 of 2

noun

ˈstōl 

1

: a long loose garment : robe

2

: an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a long usually silk band worn traditionally around the neck by bishops and priests and over the left shoulder by deacons

3

: a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usually across the shoulders

Examples of stole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The red and gold stole that Pope Leo XIV wore on May 8 features ornate illustrations of the four gospels in the New Testament − Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Morrill said. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 9 May 2025

The liturgical garments – such as robes, stoles and hats – worn by the pope and other Christian church officials are known as vestments. —Christopher Watson, ABC News, 8 May 2025

Leo, like Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II, was dressed in a mixture of red and white, the stole already draped over his shoulders. —Vogue, 8 May 2025

The wine cup that Kelly’s gang stole in Switzerland remains missing, despite the offer of a £10,000 reward, but the missing porcelain bowl has been returned to the museum after detectives found it had been flown to Hong Kong and sold for £80,000 at an auction house. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English, from Latin stola, from Greek stolē equipment, robe, from stellein to set up, make ready

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stole

• boal
• bole
• bowl
• coal
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll

Kids Definition

stole

1 of 2

ˈstōl

past of steal

stole

2 of 2 noun

1

: a long narrow band worn around the neck by bishops and priests in ceremonies

2

: a long wide scarf or similar covering worn by women usually across the shoulders

Legal Definition

stole

past of steal