filch

[ filch ]
See synonyms for: filchfilchingfilcher on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to steal (especially something of small value); pilfer: to filch ashtrays from fancy restaurants.

Origin of filch

1
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

Other words for filch

Other words from filch

  • filcher, noun
  • filch·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·filched, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use filch in a sentence

  • Could being accused of filching a fragile old lady out of her pennies spell the end for Nicolas Sarkozy?

    Sarkozy’s Old Lady Troubles | Tracy McNicoll | March 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Filching all their time, yet granting generous donations for rest and sleep?

    The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 3 of 4 | American Anti-Slavery Society
  • I shall teach him a lesson for filching hens or cocks!Doctor Rat.

    Gammer Gurton's Needle | Mr. S. Mr. of Art
  • From the stock-jobbing owners down to the nickel-filching conductors they steal—steal—steal!

    The Grain Of Dust | David Graham Phillips
  • The piratical old plagiarist of a vehicle was about to begin filching from another source.

    Fifth Avenue | Arthur Bartlett Maurice

British Dictionary definitions for filch

filch

/ (fɪltʃ) /


verb
  1. (tr) to steal or take surreptitiously in small amounts; pilfer

Origin of filch

1
C16 filchen to steal, attack, perhaps from Old English gefylce band of men

Derived forms of filch

  • filcher, noun

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