noun
Uncommon
collusion
kuh-LOO-zhuhn
Collusion (noun) means a secret agreement between people or groups to work together dishonestly, often while pretending to be rivals. Example: “Regulators found evidence of collusion between the two "competing" airlines to fix ticket prices.”
noun
1
A secret agreement between people or groups to work together dishonestly, often while pretending to be rivals.
"Regulators found evidence of collusion between the two "competing" airlines to fix ticket prices."
"The scandal exposed collusion between the contractor and the inspector."
How to use collusion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA secret, underhanded deal between parties who are supposed to be independent or opposed.
Common mistake
Collusion implies secrecy and dishonesty; a normal open partnership or cooperation is not collusion.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
collusion between
evidence of collusion
allegations of collusion
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Word forms
- Plural
- collusions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Regulators found evidence of _____ between the two "competing" airlines to fix ticket prices.
Etymology
From Old French collusion, from Latin collusio, "act of colluding" — secretly playing along together.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for collusion
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for collusion →
Frequently asked questions
What does “collusion” mean?
The word “collusion” means a secret agreement between people or groups to work together dishonestly, often while pretending to be rivals. In plain terms, a secret, underhanded deal between parties who are supposed to be independent or opposed.
How do you pronounce “collusion”?
“Collusion” is pronounced kuh-LOO-zhuhn (/kəˈluːʒən/ in IPA).
How do you use “collusion” in a sentence?
Here is “collusion” used in a sentence: “Regulators found evidence of collusion between the two "competing" airlines to fix ticket prices.”
What part of speech is “collusion”?
“Collusion” is a noun.
Where does the word “collusion” come from?
The word “collusion” comes from Latin. From Old French collusion, from Latin collusio, "act of colluding" — secretly playing along together.
Is “collusion” a common word?
“Collusion” is an uncommon word in modern English.
