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

But then Jack’s bass is filched from his apartment, and his charismatic junkie lead singer, the Banished Earl, vanishes along with it.

From Los Angeles Times

Frankie showing off the old service revolver he’d traded a filched pocket watch for, practicing on milk bottles and tin cans.

From Literature

There, according to his autobiography, Sonny filched pretzels and hard-boiled eggs, and learned his first cuss words from an obscenity-squawking parrot.

From Washington Post

With “Avalon,” it’s as though Zink glanced at the mundane little formula that recurs throughout her press clippings and filched it for a plot.

From New York Times

He filched a box of six rocket propelled grenades that he eventually gave to Ukrainian troops.

From Reuters

Related Words

• embezzle
• pilfer
• purloin