Snitch: meaning, definitions and examples

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snitch

[snɪtʃ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

informant

A person who provides information to the authorities about someone else's wrongdoing, typically in exchange for leniency or some form of reward.

Synonyms

informant, tattletale, traitor, whistleblower.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
snitch	Typically used in informal settings to describe someone who secretly reports another person’s wrongdoing, often carrying a negative connotation. He became known as a snitch after telling the teacher about the prank.
informant	Often used in legal or police contexts to describe someone who provides information about criminal activity, without necessarily implying a negative connotation. The police relied on the informant to break the case wide open.
traitor	Used in both formal and informal settings to describe someone who betrays a trust or allegiance, often with serious and negative implications. He was seen as a traitor for leaking company secrets to the competitors.
tattletale	Commonly used among children or in informal settings to describe someone who informs authority figures about trivial misconduct, often seen negatively. Nobody liked playing with him because he was a tattletale who told the teacher about every little thing.
whistleblower	Typically used in formal settings like workplaces or corporate environments to describe someone who exposes wrongdoing within an organization, often viewed positively or neutrally. The whistleblower revealed the company's illegal dumping practices.

Examples of usage

He was labeled as a snitch after he informed the police about his friend's illegal activities.
The snitch revealed the location of the stolen goods to the detectives.
She didn't want to be known as a snitch, so she kept quiet about what she saw.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sports

In sports, a snitch is a person who informs on others, especially on teammates, in order to gain an advantage or avoid punishment.

Synonyms

betrayer, informant, turncoat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
snitch	Used informally and often has a negative connotation. It refers to someone who secretly tells authorities or others about someone's wrongdoing. He got caught because there was a snitch in their group. Nobody likes a snitch, you know.
informant	Typically used in a more formal or legal context to describe someone who provides confidential information to authorities, often in exchange for some benefit. The police were able to bust the drug ring thanks to an informant. He worked as an informant for the FBI for several years.
betrayer	Has a strong negative connotation, used to describe someone who has abandoned or turned against their friends, country, or cause. He was labeled a betrayer after he sold company secrets to a competitor. In times of war, a betrayer is despised the most.
turncoat	Carries a negative connotation and is used to describe someone who changes allegiance, especially betraying a cause or group they previously supported. His colleagues considered him a turncoat after he joined the rival company. During the revolution, turncoats were severely punished.

Examples of usage

The coach warned the team about the dangers of having a snitch among them.
The snitch's actions led to the disqualification of the team from the competition.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the 19th-century English slang, where it originally meant 'to steal' before evolving to mean 'to inform.'
In the 1930s, the term gained popularity in American gangster culture, referring to those who inform on criminals.
The variation 'snitch' is thought to come from the Yiddish word 'sneitshn,' meaning to betray or reveal.

Pop Culture

Movies and TV shows often portray snitches as villains, seen in films like 'Goodfellas' where informants face dire consequences.
The term also appears in music, with rap often using it to explore themes of loyalty and betrayal within street culture.
Various slang phrases have emerged, such as 'rat' or 'canary,' to describe someone who snitches, highlighting its negative connotation.

Education

In school settings, some children may feel pressured to snitch on classmates, leading to discussions about loyalty versus honesty.
Teaching children about the concept of 'snitching' can help develop their understanding of right and wrong when it comes to bullying or unsafe behavior.
Educators often encourage open discussions about reporting issues responsibly without leading to a culture of mistrust among students.

Psychology

Studies show that social dynamics often label informants negatively, creating a dilemma between self-protection and community loyalty.
The fear of being labeled a snitch can inhibit individuals from reporting misconduct, impacting group behavior and safety.
Psychological research indicates that children's understanding of snitching evolves as they learn about morality and social contracts.

Law

In legal contexts, informants provide crucial information for investigations but often face risks including retaliation from associates.
Jurisdictions sometimes offer witness protection programs to safeguard those who snitch from potential harm.
The role of informants can be complex; while they help in legal matters, they may also complicate the pursuit of justice due to mistrust.

Translations

Translations of the word "snitch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dedo-duro

🇮🇳 चुगलखोर (chugalkhor)

🇩🇪 Petze

🇮🇩 pengadu

🇺🇦 стукач

🇵🇱 kapuś

🇯🇵 告げ口 (tsugeguchi)

🇫🇷 mouchard

🇪🇸 soplón

🇹🇷 ispiyoncu

🇰🇷 고자질쟁이 (gojajiljaengi)

🇸🇦 واشي (washī)

🇨🇿 práskač

🇸🇰 práskač

🇨🇳 告密者 (gàomìzhě)

🇸🇮 ovaduh

🇮🇸 kjaftaskur

🇰🇿 сатқын

🇬🇪 ჩამშვები (chamshvebi)

🇦🇿 casus

🇲🇽 soplón

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,652 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
34649 companionway
34650 corbel
34651 chiseling
34652 snitch
34653 unbent
34654 deviancy
34655 bumpkin
...