# filch

> English word · Verb · IPA /fɪlt͡ʃ/ · frequency rank #98,116

## Definitions
1. To illegally take possession of (something, especially items of low value); to pilfer, to steal.

## Etymology
From Middle English filchen (“to pilfer, steal”). The further origin of the word is uncertain, but it is likely from or related to Old English fylċian (“to marshal troops”) and Old English ġefylċe (“band of men, army, host”), which would make it also related to folk.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/filch