pilfer

[pil-fer]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to steal, especially in small quantities.

   Synonyms: appropriate, filch, purloin, thieve

pilfer

/ ˈpɪlfə /

verb

1. to steal (minor items), esp in small quantities

Other Word Forms

• pilferer noun
• unpilfered adjective
• pilfering noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilfer¹

1540–50; v. use of late Middle English pilfre booty < Middle French pelfre. See pelf

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilfer¹

C14 pylfre (n) from Old French pelfre booty; see _pelf

Example Sentences

“Caught with stolen property? Hang him! No honest man scoots around on pilfered wheels. He’s obviously guilty of something.”

Read more on Literature

Slowly, painfully, he realizes they are miserable not because of one another but because they are poor, a hardship he has been quietly worsening by pilfering their stores.

Read more on Salon

Instead of using the financing for the benefit of the company, James “secretly pilfered some of the company’s assets to fund his and his family’s lavish lifestyle,” the complaint alleges.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He then declared a national emergency, allowing him to pilfer some military appropriations to build his wall.

Read more on Salon

Surveillance footage obtained by ABC News showed suspects using crowbars to break glass and pilfer an estimated $1 million in loot, while others entered the store with handguns.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• filch 
• purloin 
• swipe