pilfer
To steal in small quantities, or articles of small valueTo steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practise petty theft.
» He was pilfering those verses one by one.
Meaning
1 sensesTo steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practise petty theft.
pilfer goods
pilfer from a store
klauen, stehlen, stibitzen
ворова́тьvorovátʹ, крастьkrastʹ, таска́тьtaskátʹ
- make off with belongings of others
Examples
10 sentencesHe was pilfering those verses one by one.
Is she the one who pilfers at the market?
The royal crypt was pilfered by grave robbers long ago.
deDie königliche Krypta ist längst von Grabräubern geplündert worden.
It is my intention to plunder and pilfer my weasely guts out.
He pilfered the chicken.
Translations
7 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From earlier pilfre, from Middle English pilfre (“booty”), from Old French pelfre (“plundeFrom earlier pilfre, from Middle English pilfre (“booty”), from Old French pelfre (“plunder, booty, spoils”), of unknown origin. Compare pelf.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
pilfers, pilfering, pilfered, pilferedSynonyms
11 synonymsWord family
8 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle