noun

trickster

TRIHK-stuh

Trickster (noun) means a mythological or folklore figure who uses cunning and mischief to outwit authority or other characters. Example: “Coyote is a classic trickster figure in many Native American stories.”

noun

A mythological or folklore figure who uses cunning and mischief to outwit authority or other characters.

"Coyote is a classic trickster figure in many Native American stories."

Someone who deceives or cheats people, often for personal gain.

"The con artist was a trickster who talked elderly victims out of their savings."

"He turned out to be a trickster running a fake charity."

How to Use Trickster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone (real or mythical) who relies on cunning, tricks, or deception rather than force.

Common pairings

trickster figure trickster god

Word Forms

trickstered past tense, tricksters plural, tricksters singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “trickster” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Coyote is a classic _____ figure in many Native American stories.

Etymology

Built from trick plus the agent suffix -ster (the same ending found in words like gangster and youngster).

Synonyms

View more →

cheat cheater slicker deceiver prankster cut-up hoaxer tricker beguiler practical joker

Related Words

steal shark cheat Satan liar chess clown trump

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “trickster” mean?

The word “trickster” means a mythological or folklore figure who uses cunning and mischief to outwit authority or other characters. In plain terms, someone (real or mythical) who relies on cunning, tricks, or deception rather than force.

How do you pronounce “trickster”?

“Trickster” is pronounced TRIHK-stuh (/ˈtɹɪk.stɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “trickster” in a sentence?

Here is “trickster” used in a sentence: “Coyote is a classic trickster figure in many Native American stories.”

What part of speech is “trickster”?

“Trickster” is a noun.

How many meanings does “trickster” have?

“Trickster” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a mythological or folklore figure who uses cunning and mischief to outwit authority or other characters.

People Also Searched

steal shark cheat Satan liar chess clown trump