filch

UK: /ˈfɪltʃ/ US: /fɪltʃ/ ,(filch)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

filch /fɪltʃ/   v. [~ + object]

1. to steal (esp. something of small value);
   pilfer;
   swipe:
   The children filched cookies.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

filch  (filch), v.t. 

1. to steal (esp. something of small value);
   pilfer:
   to filch ashtrays from fancy restaurants.

• 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

filch′er, n. 
filch′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

purloin, take, swipe, lift, snaffle, pinch.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

filch / fɪltʃ/ verb

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

Etymology: 16th Century filchen to steal, attack, perhaps from Old English gefylce band of men

ˈfilcher noun