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pilfer

[ pil-fer ]

/ ˈpɪl fər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pilfer ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to steal, especially in small quantities.

Origin of pilfer

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

SYNONYMS FOR pilfer

thieve, purloin, filch, appropriate.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pilfer ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM pilfer

pil·fer·er, noun un·pil·fered, adjective

Words nearby pilfer

piles, pileum, pileup, pileus, pilewort, pilfer, pilferage, pilgarlic, pilgrim, pilgrim bottle, pilgrim fathers

Example sentences from the Web for pilfer

But Julius and his comrades continued to pilfer American secrets for years after the defeat of fascism.

Soviet-Era Secret Leakers Were Way Worse Than Snowden |Steve Usdin |August 7, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
He had some sort of an idea that he might pilfer the hospitality of his enemies.

The Eyes of the Woods |Joseph A. Altsheler
To pilfer a supper, and then have it found in its natural state, after eating it—I confess that that is a most remarkable trick!

Brother Jacques (Novels of Paul de Kock, Volume XVII) |Charles Paul de Kock
If they win, they grab at booty; if they lose, they unhorse and pilfer their own side!

The Bbur-nma in English |Babur, Emperor of Hindustan

He never stooped to pilfer, until exposure and decay had weakened his hand.

A Book of Scoundrels |Charles Whibley
The islanders began to jostle their guests, to pilfer, and at last they seized upon the oars.

Stanley in Africa |James P. Boyd

British Dictionary definitions for pilfer

pilfer

/ (ˈpɪlfə) /

verb

to steal (minor items), esp in small quantities

Derived forms of pilfer

pilferer, noun pilfering, noun

Word Origin for pilfer

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