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 snitch²

First recorded in 1775–85; origin uncertain

Explanation

To snitch is to tattle on someone, and a snitch is someone who tattles. If you snitch on your brother when he "borrows" five dollars without asking, he might call you a snitch — but, on the bright side, he'll probably have to pay you back. The oldest meaning of the informal snitch is "to betray" or, as a noun, "informer." This probably stems from 18th-century underworld slang, in which snitch meant "nose" — perhaps because a snitch is really nosy. A newer definition of snitch, "to steal," is thought to be a variation on snatch, and it first appeared around the turn of the 20th century. In the Harry Potter books, a snitch is a winged, golden ball used in the game of Quidditch.

Example Sentences

This essay is adapted from the author’s forthcoming book, ‘The Family Snitch: A Daughter’s Memoir of Truth and Lies,’ to be published on February 3 by Steerforth Press.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Far from the legendary skies above Hogwarts school, a young woman chased a "Golden Snitch" highlighting how the craze for Harry Potter's favourite sport, Quidditch, has taken hold in a remote Ugandan village.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Dominic: I’m not going to pretend I don’t have an unhealthy amount of “Harry Potter” facts bouncing around my brain like a Golden Snitch.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 21, 2023

Her prized possession is a 24 carat gold-plated Golden Snitch puzzle piece from Japan - one of only 5,000 made - which took six years to track down and buy.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2019

The long game was ended, the Snitch had been caught, it was time to leave the air....

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling