pilfer

[ pil-fer ]

/ ˈpɪl fər /

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See synonyms for: pilfer / pilfered / pilfering / pilferer on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)

to steal, especially in small quantities.

OTHER WORDS FOR pilfer

thieve, purloin, filch, appropriate.

See synonyms for pilfer on Thesaurus.com

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of pilfer

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

OTHER WORDS FROM pilfer

pil·fer·er, nounun·pil·fered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pilfer in a sentence

And that is just one date rape drug that can be either pilfered at a hospital or bought on the street.
Alleged U.Va. Abductor Accused of Rape at Christian College|Michael Daly|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it is not the only Italian site that has been pilfered in recent months.
Pompeii Made It Through a Volcano, but Can It Survive Vandals?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Snowden pilfered documents from databases designed to share intelligence more broadly within the government.
Spy Chief James Clapper: We Can’t Stop Another Snowden|Eli Lake|February 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An added sentence—possibly from an actual interview Goodall conducted with Aplin—followed by a pilfered (and truncated) one.
Jane Goodall’s Troubling, Error-Filled New Book, ‘Seeds of Hope’|Michael Moynihan|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Is it about a book contract, or a pilfered appearance on CNBC?
Meltdown at FreedomWorks|David Frum|December 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Our belfry will be torn down, our seal will be broken, our banner torn and our treasury pilfered.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman|Eugne Sue
Mahogany furniture warmed the despoilers, and ten thousand were drunk on pilfered liquors.
Historic Fredericksburg|John T. Goolrick
And from time to time somebody spoke out loud and clear an opinion pilfered verbatim from his master.
The O'Ruddy|Stephen Crane
She hesitated to tell him that it had been pilfered from the owner's pocket, and intimated that she had picked it up outside.
Doom Castle|Neil Munro
With their help the vessel was unloaded, the chief taking care that none of the effects should be pilfered.
Notable Voyagers|W.H.G. Kingston and Henry Frith

British Dictionary definitions for pilfer

pilfer

/ (ˈpɪlfə) /

verb

to steal (minor items), esp in small quantities

Derived forms of pilfer

pilferer, nounpilfering, noun

Word Origin for pilfer

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pilfer

OTHER WORDS FOR pilfer

Origin of pilfer

OTHER WORDS FROM pilfer

Words related to pilfer

How to use pilfer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pilfer

Derived forms of pilfer

Word Origin for pilfer