# snitch

/ˈsnɪtʃ/ (US) · /snˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snitch
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. an informer

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

someone who tells a person in charge (like a teacher or the police) that another person has done something wrong.

For teachers: an informer who betrays a group's confidence by reporting misconduct to authorities.

- Nobody wanted to talk to him because they thought he was a snitch for the principal.
- The gang suspected there was a snitch in their ranks after the police arrived exactly when the shipment was being moved.

### 2. Quidditch ball

noun · CEFR B1

in the Harry Potter books, a small gold ball with wings that players try to catch.

For teachers: the small, winged golden ball used in the fictional sport of Quidditch, the capture of which usually ends the match.

- The seeker flew high above the stadium, searching for a flash of the Golden Snitch.
- In the final minutes of the game, the seeker dived sharply toward the grass, having finally spotted the elusive Golden Snitch.

### 3. to tell on someone

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to tell an authority figure about someone's secret or bad behavior.

For teachers: to act as an informer; to report the misdeeds of others to an authority figure, often viewed as a betrayal of trust.

- He promised not to snitch on his brother for breaking the window.
- Despite the pressure from investigators, the witness refused to snitch on his associates, citing a personal code of silence.

### 4. to steal

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Archaic

to steal something small quickly and quietly.

For teachers: to pilfer or steal something, typically of low value, in a quick or surreptitious manner.

- The child tried to snitch a cookie from the jar while his mother wasn't looking.
- He managed to snitch a few loose cigarettes from the counter while the shopkeeper was distracted by another customer.

## Examples

- Nobody likes a snitch who tells on their friends.
- The gang suspected there was a snitch in their group after the police arrived exactly when the deal was happening.
- In many tight-knit communities, being labeled a snitch is a social death sentence that results in total isolation and the loss of protection from the group.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.