To filch means to steal something small in a sneaky, casual way. When someone filches a cookie from the jar when they think no one's looking, or filches a pencil from their friend's desk, they're taking something they shouldn't have, usually something minor and often on impulse.

The word suggests a lighter kind of stealing than words like “rob” or “burgle.” A shoplifter might filch a candy bar, while a bank robber steals thousands of dollars. Someone might filch supplies from the office, or a squirrel might filch seeds from a bird feeder. The sneakiness matters: filching involves swiping something quietly, hoping nobody notices.

You'll often see this word in stories about mischievous characters. In Oliver Twist, the Artful Dodger teaches orphans to filch handkerchiefs from wealthy Londoners. While the word can sound almost playful, filching is still stealing, and it still breaks trust. Whether you filch something worth five cents or five dollars, you're taking what isn't yours.