Word a Day
pilfer
What does pilfer mean?
pilfer (verb): to steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practise petty theft.
Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
How do you use pilfer in a sentence?
- The boy tried to pilfer sweets from the shop. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Office supplies often get pilfered by employees. (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0)
How do you pronounce pilfer?
/ˈpɪlfɚ/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.
Where does pilfer come from?
From earlier pilfre, from Middle English pilfre (“booty”), from Old French pelfre (“plunder, booty, spoils”), of unknown origin.
Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What are synonyms of pilfer?
From Princeton WordNet 3.1.
Test yourself: do you know “pilfer”?
Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.
What does “pilfer” mean?
to approach slowly and quietly in order not to be discovered when getting closer
Not quite: that's what stalk means.
to fight for superiority; to contend; to compete eagerly so as to gain something
Not quite: that's what vie means.
to steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practise petty theft
Right! That's what “pilfer” means.
to move hurriedly to a location, especially by using all limbs against a surface
Not quite: that's what scramble means.
Which word is closest in meaning to “pilfer”?
deter
Not quite: deter means something else.
stink
Not quite: stink means something else.
stalk
Not quite: stalk means something else.
swipe
Right!
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