noun
Uncommon
scam
SKAM
Scam (noun) means a dishonest scheme designed to trick people out of money. Example: “She lost her savings to an investment scam.”
noun
1
A dishonest scheme designed to trick people out of money.
"She lost her savings to an investment scam."
"The email about a free holiday turned out to be a scam."
"Police warned shoppers about a ticket scam that targets music fans."
verb
1
To defraud or trick someone, usually for money.
"Fraudsters scammed dozens of elderly residents with a fake charity call."
"Someone tried to scam my grandmother out of her savings by phone."
"Don't let anyone scam you with promises of easy money."
How to use scam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fraudulent trick or scheme, or the act of running one, usually to steal money.
Common pairings
fall for a scam
run a scam
a phone scam
get scammed
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Word forms
- Plural
- scams
- Third person singular
- scams
- Past tense
- scammed
Fill the gap
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She lost her savings to an investment _____.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — American slang, possibly linked to "scamp" (a swindler) or an Irish word for "crooked." It became widely known in the early 1980s after the FBI's Operation ABSCAM sting.
Class of 1980
scam joined the language around 1980.
See the full Class of 1980 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for scam
See all rhymes for scam →Frequently asked questions
What does “scam” mean?
The word “scam” means a dishonest scheme designed to trick people out of money. In plain terms, a fraudulent trick or scheme, or the act of running one, usually to steal money.
How do you pronounce “scam”?
“Scam” is pronounced SKAM (/ˈskæm/ in IPA).
How do you use “scam” in a sentence?
Here is “scam” used in a sentence: “She lost her savings to an investment scam.”
What part of speech is “scam”?
Depending on how it is used, “scam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “scam” come from?
The word “scam” dates back to around 1980 and comes from Irish. Origin uncertain — American slang, possibly linked to "scamp" (a swindler) or an Irish word for "crooked." It became widely known in the early 1980s after the FBI's Operation ABSCAM sting.
Is “scam” a common word?
“Scam” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “scam” have?
“Scam” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dishonest scheme designed to trick people out of money.
What is the difference between a scam and fraud?
Fraud is the broad, often legal term for deliberate deception carried out for unfair or unlawful gain. A scam is a more informal word for a specific dishonest scheme designed to trick people out of money, so most scams are a form of fraud.
What is the difference between a scam and a con?
Both involve tricking people dishonestly, and they overlap heavily in meaning. A con, short for confidence trick, specifically relies on first gaining the victim's trust, while a scam is a more general term for any dishonest money-making scheme.
What is the difference between a scam and a hoax?
A scam is designed to cheat people out of money or valuables. A hoax is a deception meant to make people believe something untrue, often as a prank or to cause alarm, and it does not necessarily aim to steal money.
Is 'scam' a formal or informal word?
Scam is informal and is common in everyday speech and journalism. In formal, legal, or official writing, words such as fraud, swindle, or deception are usually preferred.
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