verb

hocus

HOH-kuhs

Hocus (verb) means to trick or deceive someone. Example: “The con artist hocused the shopkeeper out of his change.”

verb

To trick or deceive someone.

"The con artist hocused the shopkeeper out of his change."

To secretly drug a drink, usually to rob or take advantage of someone.

"The victim's drink had been hocused before he was robbed."

How to use hocus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo cheat, con, or secretly drug someone.

When to use it

Old-fashioned and rarely used today outside of historical or literary contexts.

hocused past tense, hocussed past tense, hocuses plural, hocuses singular, hocusses singular

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The con artist _____ the shopkeeper out of his change.

A shortened form of "hocus-pocus", the traditional magician's phrase used before a trick.

focus locus refocus

What does “hocus” mean?

The word “hocus” means to trick or deceive someone. In plain terms, to cheat, con, or secretly drug someone.

How do you pronounce “hocus”?

“Hocus” is pronounced HOH-kuhs (/ˈhəʊkəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “hocus” in a sentence?

Here is “hocus” used in a sentence: “The con artist hocused the shopkeeper out of his change.”

What part of speech is “hocus”?

“Hocus” is a verb.

How many meanings does “hocus” have?

“Hocus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to trick or deceive someone.