snitch

¹ American  

[snich] / snɪtʃ /

verb (used with object)

Informal.

1. to snatch or steal; pilfer.

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snitch ² American  

[snich] / snɪtʃ /

verb (used without object)

1. to turn informer; tattle.

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noun

1. Also called snitcher.  an informer.

snitch British  

/ snɪtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to steal; take, esp in an underhand way

2. (intr) to act as an informer

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noun

1. an informer; telltale

2. the nose

Usage

What does snitch mean? Snitch is an insulting name for a person who informs the police or other authorities when others break the law or the rules.Snitch can refer to an informant who reports a crime or a tattletale who tells on someone, especially to their parents or to a teacher. It can also be used as a verb meaning to inform on or tattle on someone. All uses of this sense of the word are intended to be negative and very insulting.Less commonly, snitch can be used as a verb meaning to steal, or as a noun meaning the nose.In the Harry Potter series of books and movies, the golden snitch is the small flying object in the game of quidditch that gets chased after by players called seekers (including Harry Potter himself). Capturing the snitch wins the game for one’s team.Example: We call you a snitch because you snitched on us for snitching the snitch from McGonagall’s office! Next time keep your mouth shut!

Other Word Forms

• snitcher noun

Etymology

Origin of snitch¹

First recorded in 1900–05; perhaps variant of snatch

Origin of snitch¹

First recorded in 1775–85; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

I’m aware of the absolute silence in the room— nobody wants to snitch on Gene.

From Literature

There is something about a healthy personality that feels repelled by a snoop or a snitch.

From Salon

“I’m snitching,” he said, before pantomiming a conversation with a co-defendant.

From Los Angeles Times

To add to the Stasi effect, the tip line offers snitches anonymity.

From Salon

The longtime Orange County public defender changed local history in 2013 when he presented a judge with evidence that sheriff’s deputies had illegally used jailhouse snitches for decades.

From Los Angeles Times