cheat
CHEET
Cheat (verb) means to break rules in order to gain an unfair advantage. Example: “Nobody likes playing board games with someone who cheats.”
verb
1
To break rules in order to gain an unfair advantage.
"Nobody likes playing board games with someone who cheats."
"He was caught cheating on the exam and had to retake it."
"She accused her opponent of cheating during the card game."
2
To be sexually or romantically unfaithful to a partner.
"She was heartbroken to learn that her partner had been cheating."
"The film is about a husband who cheats and then tries to hide it."
"He cheated on his girlfriend while she was away."
3
To deceive or trick someone, often to take something from them.
"The dishonest trader cheated tourists by giving them the wrong change."
"Don't let anyone cheat you out of the money you have earned."
"The salesman cheated elderly customers out of their savings."
noun
1
A person who cheats, or an act of cheating.
"He is a terrible cheat who always peeks at the other players' cards."
"Everyone at the table knew he was a cheat."
"The whole scheme was a cheat from the start."
How to use cheat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break the rules — or be unfaithful — to gain something you shouldn't have.
Common pairings
cheat on an exam
cheat on a partner
cheat someone out of
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Word forms
- Plural
- cheats
- Third person singular
- cheats
- Past tense
- cheated
Fill the gap
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Nobody likes playing board games with someone who _____.
Etymology
Ultimately from Old French escheat ("property that reverts to the state") — the sense shifted over time from an official legal term to the idea of unfairly taking something that isn't rightfully yours.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cheat
See all rhymes for cheat →Frequently asked questions
What does “cheat” mean?
The word “cheat” means to break rules in order to gain an unfair advantage. In plain terms, to break the rules — or be unfaithful — to gain something you shouldn't have.
How do you pronounce “cheat”?
“Cheat” is pronounced CHEET (/ˈt͡ʃiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cheat” in a sentence?
Here is “cheat” used in a sentence: “He was caught cheating on the exam and had to retake it.”
What part of speech is “cheat”?
Depending on how it is used, “cheat” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “cheat” come from?
The word “cheat” comes from Old French. Ultimately from Old French escheat ("property that reverts to the state") — the sense shifted over time from an official legal term to the idea of unfairly taking something that isn't rightfully yours.
Is “cheat” a common word?
“Cheat” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cheat” have?
“Cheat” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to break rules in order to gain an unfair advantage.
What is the difference between cheat and deceive?
To deceive is to make someone believe something false. To cheat is to break rules for an unfair advantage or to trick someone in order to take something from them, so cheating usually involves rules, contests, or loss. Most cheating involves deception, but not all deception counts as cheating.
Is it cheat or cheater?
Both nouns mean a person who cheats. Cheat is the usual choice in British English, as in he's a cheat, while American English strongly prefers cheater. As a noun, cheat can also refer to an act of cheating.
What is a cheat sheet?
A cheat sheet is a compact set of notes giving key facts, formulas, or steps at a glance. The name comes from notes smuggled into tests in order to cheat, but the term is now neutral and widely used for legitimate quick-reference guides.
