Informal and often disapproving slang for telling on someone or for the informer who does it, with further senses for sly theft, an old slang use meaning the nose, and the Golden Snitch of Harry Potter.
In the comic scene, the thief hid his long snitch behind a scarf.
A tiny winged Snitch appears in the display.
The Golden Snitch darted between the players.
He snitched a biscuit from the tin before dinner.
Similar words
lift
informant
inform
proboscis
Golden Snitch
pinch
nose
filch
rat
nick
Meanings
Inform on someone
verb
social
informal
To tell a person in authority that someone else has done something wrong, usually with a disapproving sense of betrayal.
Examples
He refused to snitch on the other players after practice.
Someone snitched to the manager about the fake refunds.
The children thought she had snitched on them to the teacher.
In that gang, anyone who snitches is treated as a traitor.
The witness was afraid to snitch because everyone knew where he lived.
Similar words
tattle
rat
inform
tell on
grass
betray
Informer
noun
social
informal
A person who tells authorities about another person’s wrongdoing, especially when the act is viewed as disloyal.
Examples
Nobody wanted to be called a snitch for telling the coach.
The police protected the snitch after the trial.
He was branded a snitch for cooperating with investigators.
The rumor started because someone thought there was a snitch in the group.
Jailhouse snitches can become unreliable witnesses when deals are involved.
Similar words
tattletale
rat
informer
informant
squealer
stool pigeon
Steal slyly
verb
crime
informal
To take something secretly or quickly, especially in a small, sneaky theft.
Examples
He snitched a biscuit from the tin before dinner.
Someone snitched my pen during the meeting.
The kids tried to snitch sweets from the counter.
She admitted she had snitched a few coins from the jar.
The thief snitched a watch while the crowd was distracted.
Similar words
pilfer
filch
swipe
nick
pinch
lift
Nose
noun
slang
archaic
A rare old slang word for a nose, mostly encountered in historical or underworld-flavored language.
Examples
The old crook tapped his snitch and claimed he could smell a trap.
In the comic scene, the thief hid his long snitch behind a scarf.
The line sounds old-fashioned because snitch once meant a nose.
A glossary of thieves’ cant listed snitch as slang for the nose.
The actor used snitch for nose to give the character a period flavor.
Similar words
nose
schnoz
beak
snout
proboscis
Flying Quidditch ball
noun
pop culture
neutral
In Harry Potter, a small winged ball that a Seeker tries to catch in Quidditch, usually called the Golden Snitch.
Examples
The Seeker spotted the Snitch above the pitch.
Catching the Snitch ended the Quidditch match.
The Golden Snitch darted between the players.
Harry reached for the Snitch at full speed.
A tiny winged Snitch appears in the display.
Similar words
Golden Snitch
Etymology
Of uncertain origin. The informer noun is recorded in the late eighteenth century and is probably connected with earlier underworld slang for the nose. The verb meaning inform comes from the noun, while the steal sense is recorded later and may be influenced by snatch.
FAQ
What does snitch mean?
Snitch usually means to tell an authority about someone else’s wrongdoing, or a person who does that.
Is snitch negative?
Yes, it is usually disapproving because it suggests betrayal or tattling rather than responsible reporting.
What does snitch on someone mean?
Snitch on someone means to tell a teacher, police officer, manager, or other authority that the person did something wrong.
Can snitch mean steal?
Yes. Informally, snitch can mean to steal or pilfer something in a sly way.
Is snitch the same as whistleblower?
No. A whistleblower reports serious wrongdoing, often for public protection, while a snitch is usually framed as a disloyal informer.
Can snitch be a noun?
Yes. A snitch is an informer, and in rare old slang it can also mean a nose.
What is the Snitch in Harry Potter?
The Snitch, usually the Golden Snitch, is the small winged ball a Seeker tries to catch in Quidditch.
What is the past tense of snitch?
The regular past tense is snitched, as in She snitched on him.
Where does snitch come from?
Its origin is uncertain, but the informer sense is recorded in late eighteenth-century slang and may connect with older slang for the nose.
What is a polite alternative to snitch?
Report, inform, source, informant, or whistleblower may fit, depending on the context and tone.
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