filch

USAGE SUMMARY

'filch' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to steal something in a furtive or sly manner. For example, "The thief quickly filched the valuable necklace from the jewelry store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Worse still, allusions to a classic movie can seem like cheap attempts to filch some of its magic to become a classic by association.

The Economist

And though the ruling party and its military backers plainly hope to filch the diamonds from newly developed fields in the Marange area, Mr Biti is determined to ensure that the Treasury also benefits.With recovery, the proportion of Zimbabweans needing food handouts has dropped sharply.

The Economist

Yet whatever Mr bin Laden had been secretly working on, he needed to filch materials and expertise from government-run weapons laboratories around the world.

The Economist

A commitment to cut tax is the one policy, other than Europhobia, that New Labour cannot filch from the Tories.

The Economist

Most of what a government needs to know is to be found in the mobile-phone contract every customer signs.Another concern is consumer protection: dodgy operators could filch cash.

The Economist

That's just the uniform the fashion business thinks of, uniformly, when considering naval style: the Irish designer JW Anderson's spring womenswear collection being the most recent to filch from and fetishise the style, with striped borders, scarf necklines, and the horizontal-buttoned fly-flap that Quentin Crisp dubbed the "crowning aphrodisiac feature" (albeit displaced to the rear).

Independent

So how much stuff do guests filch from hotels each year?

The New Yorker

"The richer people are, the more they filch," Montebello remembers her telling him.

The New Yorker

Fortunately for him, today's Republicans seem clueless about how to filch dissatisfied Democratic voters.

The New Yorker

Bound servants, steal: / Your solemn masters are large-handed robbers / And filch by law," he says, in the first of many intemperate curses.

The New Yorker

Legally, as Anatole France observed, the starving may not filch even bread.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filch" to describe a sneaky or underhanded act of stealing, especially when the item taken is not of great value but the act itself is considered dishonest or unethical.

Common error

While "filch" is a valid word, it often carries a connotation of petty theft or trivial dishonesty. In formal writing, consider using more neutral or precise terms like "steal", "misappropriate", or "embezzle" depending on the severity and nature of the act.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "filch" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of taking something without permission, often in a sneaky or casual manner. Ludwig confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "filch" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that describes the act of stealing something, typically of small value, in a sneaky or casual manner. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this word. While prevalent in News & Media, its informal tone suggests caution in formal writing contexts. Related alternatives include "pilfer" and "swipe", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. When employing "filch", consider the context and the desired level of formality to ensure the most appropriate and effective communication. Be aware of possible confusion in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pilfer

Implies stealing small items or amounts, often repeatedly and casually.

swipe

Suggests a quick, casual theft, often of something easily accessible.

snatch

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful act of stealing.

pocket

Indicates concealing something while stealing it.

appropriate

Refers to taking something, sometimes without permission but not necessarily illegally.

embezzle

Suggests stealing funds or assets from a position of trust.

misappropriate

Similar to embezzle, but can also apply to non-financial assets.

purloin

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for stealing.

rip off

Implies cheating someone out of money or possessions.

walk off with

Suggests casually taking something without permission.

FAQs

What does "filch" mean?

"Filch" means to steal something, typically of small value, in a sneaky or casual way.

What is a synonym for "filch"?

Synonyms for "filch" include "pilfer", "swipe", "snatch" and "purloin".

Is it correct to use "filch" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "filch" may be too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using stronger or more precise terms like "steal" or "misappropriate" depending on the situation.

How can I use "filch" in a sentence?

You can use "filch" in a sentence like this: "He managed to filch a cookie from the jar when no one was looking."