noun

trick

TRIHK

noun

An action meant to deceive, fool, or outsmart someone.

"It was all a trick to get her to reveal the password."

A skillful or clever technique for achieving something, especially something difficult.

"There's a trick to folding a fitted sheet neatly."

A playful prank meant to surprise or embarrass someone.

"The kids played a harmless trick on their babysitter."

verb

To deceive someone, often to gain an advantage.

"He tricked his brother into doing his chores."

adj

Not reliable; prone to giving out or failing.

"She favors her trick knee whenever it rains."

How to Use Trick

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA clever or deceptive action — could be a scam, a magic trick, a prank, or just a smart shortcut for doing something.

Common mistake

A "trick knee/back" means a body part that's unreliable or prone to giving out, not literally deceptive.

Common pairings

play a trick trick question do the trick magic trick

Word Forms

tricker comparative, tricked past tense, tricks plural, tricks singular, trickest superlative

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It was all a _____ to get her to reveal the password.

Etymology

From Old Northern French trique, related to Old French trichier, "to cheat or deceive" — ultimately connected to Latin words meaning "to dodge" or "haggle."

Synonyms

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con gambit ploy rip-off

Related Words

con study gambit ploy

Rhymes for trick

ick tick kick nick sick pick rick wick mick hick lick Vick

See all rhymes for trick →

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