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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 pilferer

Now we've caught the pilferer, and we'll make an example of her!

Complete Short Works |Georg Ebers
Dear Mr. Pilferer,—In answer to your note, I have nothing to say of any interest.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, January 18, 1890 |Various
The Pilferer will not be a colourless reflection of public opinion for the time being.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 98, January 18, 1890 |Various
What have you done with my piece of writing paper, you pilferer?

Dead Souls |Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol

The whole school had gone distracted, but the pilferer was too clever to be caught.

The Motor Maids' School Days |Katherine Stokes

British Dictionary definitions for pilferer

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