pilfers

Pilfers is the third-person singular present tense of the verb pilfer, meaning to steal, typically small items or in a casual, opportunistic manner. The act is usually described as petty theft, often occurring in situations where access to goods is easy or where security is lax. The term implies a quick, furtive action rather than a dramatic or large-scale robbery. The noun form pilfering refers to the act itself, and a pilferer is someone who commits pilfering. In everyday usage, pilfer is commonly contrasted with stronger verbs like steal or rob, with pilfer suggesting smaller scale or repeated, habitual theft.

Usage and connotations: Pilfer is often used to describe minor misappropriation in settings such as offices, shops, or households. It can carry a somewhat humorous or disapproving tone, depending on context, and it is less formal than terms like theft or embezzlement. Common collocations include pilfering items, pilfering from, and pilferage to indicate the act or pattern of stealing.

Etymology and related terms: The etymology of pilfer is uncertain, but the word has been part of English since the 16th century. Related synonyms include filch, swipe, purloin, and loots of similar meaning, though each carries its own nuance regarding severity or context.

In popular culture: The Pilfers is also the name of an American ska-punk band formed in the 1990s. As a proper noun, it refers to the musical group rather than the verb form.

See also: theft, petty theft, embezzlement, filch, purloin.