English spelling mistakes can quietly destroy confidence, rankings, and clarity. One of the most confusing verb pairs people search online is stole / stold.
Every day, users type questions like “Is stold a word?”, “Is it stold or stole?”, or “What is the 3 form of steal?” into Google. The confusion is real—and understandable. English verbs do not always follow simple rules, and steal is one of them.
Many learners assume that adding -d creates the past tense, which leads to the incorrect word stold. Others see words like stoled, stolden, or even stoll, and feel even more lost.
This confusion appears in emails, school exams, social media posts, and even news drafts. One small spelling error can change how professional your writing looks.
This guide solves that confusion completely. You will get a quick answer, real examples, grammar history, usage advice, and clear tables. By the end, you will know exactly when to use stole, why stold is wrong, and how to write with confidence every time.
Stole or Stold
Stole is the correct past tense of steal.
Stold is not a real English word.
Examples:
- He stole my phone yesterday.
- Someone stole the data from the server.
- ❌ He stold my wallet. (Incorrect)
So, if you are asking “Is it stold or stole?”, the answer is always stole.
The Origin of Stole or Stold
The verb steal comes from Old English stelan, meaning “to take secretly.” Over time, English kept its irregular verb pattern instead of adding -ed.
That is why:
- Steal → stole → stolen
The word stold never existed in standard English. It appears only because learners try to apply regular grammar rules to an irregular verb. Words like stolden or stoll come from confusion or mixing dialects, not real grammar.
Stoled is also incorrect as a verb. However, stole can be a noun meaning a scarf-like garment, which adds to the confusion.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English for this verb.
| Form | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Base | steal | steal |
| Past | stole | stole |
| Past participle | stolen | stolen |
| Incorrect | stold | stold |
Both regions reject stold completely.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
- US audience: Use stole / stolen
- UK & Commonwealth: Use stole / stolen
- Global or SEO writing: Always use stole
If you use stold, your content looks unprofessional and may fail grammar checks, exams, or AI detection tools.
Common Mistakes with Stole or Stold
Here are frequent errors and fixes:
- ❌ Is stold a word? → No
- ❌ He stold my idea → He stole my idea
- ❌ Is stoled the past tense of steal? → No
- ❌ What is the meaning of stold? → No meaning
- ❌ Stolden → Stolen
Always remember the pattern: steal – stole – stolen
Stole / Stold in Everyday Examples
Emails:
- Correct: “Someone stole confidential files.”
- Wrong: “Someone stold confidential files.”
News:
- “The suspect stole millions in public funds.”
Social Media:
- “That idea was stolen, not borrowed.”
Formal Writing:
- “The artwork was stolen from the museum.”
Stole or Stold – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data shows:
- “Steal past tense” and “Is stold a word” are searched globally.
- High interest in India, Pakistan, UK, and the US.
- Students, bloggers, and ESL learners drive most searches.
Stole appears in books, news, and legal writing.
Stold appears only in error logs and grammar questions.
Comparison Table
| Term | Correct | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| steal | ✅ | take unlawfully |
| stole | ✅ | past tense |
| stolen | ✅ | past participle |
| stold | ❌ | not a word |
| stoled | ❌ | incorrect verb |
| stolden | ❌ | incorrect |
| stole (noun) | ✅ | garment |
FAQs
1. Is stold a word?
No. Stold is not an English word.
2. What is the past tense of steal?
The past tense is stole.
3. What is the 3 form of steal?
The third form is stolen.
4. Is stoled the past tense of steal?
No. Stoiled is incorrect.
5. What is the meaning of stold?
It has no meaning in English.
6. Why do people say stold?
Because they apply regular verb rules incorrectly.
7. How do I remember the correct form?
Think: steal – stole – stolen.
Conclusion
The confusion between stole / stold is common, but the rule is simple once you know it. Stole is the correct past tense of steal, while stold is not a real word at all. English uses irregular verbs, and steal follows a fixed pattern that never changes. No matter where you live—US, UK, or anywhere else—the spelling stays the same.
Using the wrong form can damage your credibility in writing, exams, SEO content, and professional communication. Search engines, grammar tools, and readers all expect accuracy. When you understand the origin, usage, and examples, the confusion disappears completely.
If you remember just one thing, remember this: steal – stole – stolen. Avoid stold, stoled, and stolden forever. Clear grammar builds trust, authority, and confidence—and now you have all three.
Helen Oyeyemi is an acclaimed novelist known for her imaginative, lyrical storytelling and modern fairy-tale style that blends mystery with magic.
