filch

[ filch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to steal (especially something of small value); pilfer:

   to filch ashtrays from fancy restaurants.

   Synonyms: pinch, snaffle, lift, swipe, take, purloin

filch

/ fɪltʃ /

verb

1. tr to steal or take surreptitiously in small amounts; pilfer

Derived Forms

• ˈfilcher, noun

Other Words From

• filcher noun
• filching·ly adverb
• un·filched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of filch¹

1250–1300; Middle English filchen to attack (in a body), take as booty, Old English fylcian to marshal (troops), draw (soldiers) up in battle array, derivative of gefylce band of men; akin to folk

Word History and Origins

Origin of filch¹

C16 filchen to steal, attack, perhaps from Old English gefylce band of men

Example Sentences

DarkSide’s site on the dark web identified dozens of victims and described the confidential data it claimed to have filched from them.

From MIT Technology Review

One evening, while filching food from an art-gallery buffet table, he’s accosted by a frosty, willowy blond, her hair marshalled into aggressive mermaid waves.

From Time

For Nixon, it was the Watergate break-in, designed to filch political plans of his 1972 foes.

From The Daily Beast

Come, Filch, you shall go with me into my own Room, and tell me the whole Story.

From Project Gutenberg

Is it reasonable to suppose that a girl who could slyly filch my property would put it where it could be found?

From Project Gutenberg

There are two great risks in reading sermon books—a tendency to imitate the style and a temptation to filch the jewels.

From Project Gutenberg

In his eagerness and greed he suspected nothing, but that on some pretext or other they were trying to filch from him his dues.

From Project Gutenberg

And she is to be allowed to filch it, as other widows filch china cups, and a silver teaspoon or two!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• embezzle
• pilfer
• purloin