pilfer v. + Add to list US //ˈpɪɫfɝ// UK //pˈɪlfɐ// pil·fer SynonymsEtymology Synonyms abstractcabbagefilchhooknobblepinchpurloinsneakswipeOriginOFRpelfre→MEpilfre→ENpilfer From earlier pilfre, from Middle English pilfre (“booty”), from Old French pelfre (“plunder, booty, spoils”), of unknown origin. Compare pelf.