noun
Ponzi
PON-zee
Ponzi (noun) means a fraudulent investment scheme that pays existing investors with money from new investors, rather than real profit. Example: “Investigators uncovered a massive ponzi scheme that had run for a decade.”
noun
1
A fraudulent investment scheme that pays existing investors with money from new investors, rather than real profit.
"Investigators uncovered a massive ponzi scheme that had run for a decade."
verb
1
To run a scam of this kind.
"He was accused of ponzi-ing investors out of millions."
How to use Ponzi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scam where early investors are paid using money from later investors, until it collapses.
Common pairings
ponzi scheme
run a ponzi
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Word forms
- Plural
- Ponzis, Ponzies
- Third person singular
- Ponzies
- Past tense
- Ponzied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Investigators uncovered a massive _____ scheme that had run for a decade.
Etymology
Named after Charles Ponzi (1882–1949), the con artist who made this type of fraud infamous.
Class of 1882
Ponzi joined the language around 1882.
See the full Class of 1882 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Ponzi” mean?
The word “Ponzi” means a fraudulent investment scheme that pays existing investors with money from new investors, rather than real profit. In plain terms, a scam where early investors are paid using money from later investors, until it collapses.
How do you pronounce “Ponzi”?
“Ponzi” is pronounced PON-zee (/ˈpɑnzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Ponzi” in a sentence?
Here is “Ponzi” used in a sentence: “Investigators uncovered a massive ponzi scheme that had run for a decade.”
What part of speech is “Ponzi”?
Depending on how it is used, “Ponzi” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “Ponzi” come from?
The word “Ponzi” dates back to around 1882. Named after Charles Ponzi (1882–1949), the con artist who made this type of fraud infamous.
How many meanings does “Ponzi” have?
“Ponzi” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fraudulent investment scheme that pays existing investors with money from new investors, rather than real profit.
