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verb

defraud

dih-FRAWD
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Defraud (verb) means to get money or property from someone through deception. Example: “The accountant was jailed for defrauding clients of millions.”

verb
1
To get money or property from someone through deception.
"The accountant was jailed for defrauding clients of millions."

How to use defraud

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo cheat someone out of money through trickery.

Common pairings
defraud investors defraud the government conspiracy to defraud
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Word forms

Third person singular
defrauds
Past tense
defrauded
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The accountant was jailed for _____ clients of millions.

Etymology

From Old French defrauder, from de- + frauder — from the same root as "fraud."

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for defraud

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Frequently asked questions

What does “defraud” mean?
The word “defraud” means to get money or property from someone through deception. In plain terms, to cheat someone out of money through trickery.
How do you pronounce “defraud”?
“Defraud” is pronounced dih-FRAWD (/dɪˈfɹɔd/ in IPA).
How do you use “defraud” in a sentence?
Here is “defraud” used in a sentence: “The accountant was jailed for defrauding clients of millions.”
What part of speech is “defraud”?
“Defraud” is a verb.
Where does the word “defraud” come from?
The word “defraud” comes from Old French. From Old French defrauder, from de- + frauder — from the same root as "fraud.".

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