trick
TRIHK
Trick (noun) means an action meant to deceive, fool, or outsmart someone. Example: “It was all a trick to get her to reveal the password.”
noun
1
An action meant to deceive, fool, or outsmart someone.
"It was all a trick to get her to reveal the password."
"The fox played a clever trick to lure the hens out of their coop."
"Don't fall for that email; it's just a trick to steal your details."
2
A skillful or clever technique for achieving something, especially something difficult.
"There's a trick to folding a fitted sheet neatly."
"The trick to baking light scones is to handle the dough as little as possible."
"Her trick for remembering names is to repeat them aloud straight away."
3
A playful prank meant to surprise or embarrass someone.
"The kids played a harmless trick on their babysitter."
"On the first of April, my sister pulled a trick on me with a fake spider."
"The magician's assistant played a trick on him by swapping his hat for a wig."
verb
1
To deceive someone, often to gain an advantage.
"He tricked his brother into doing his chores."
"The salesman tricked the old couple into signing a contract they did not understand."
"Don't let them trick you into giving away your password."
adj
1
Not reliable; prone to giving out or failing.
"He had to sit out the match because of his trick shoulder."
"Grandad's trick hip makes climbing the stairs a daily struggle."
"She favors her trick knee whenever it rains."
How to use trick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA clever or deceptive action — could be a scam, a magic trick, a prank, or just a smart shortcut for doing something.
Common mistake
A "trick knee/back" means a body part that's unreliable or prone to giving out, not literally deceptive.
Common pairings
play a trick
trick question
do the trick
magic trick
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like trick.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- tricks
- Third person singular
- tricks
- Past tense
- tricked
- Comparative
- tricker
- Superlative
- trickest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was all a _____ to get her to reveal the password.
Etymology
From Old Northern French trique, related to Old French trichier, "to cheat or deceive" — ultimately connected to Latin words meaning "to dodge" or "haggle."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for trick
See all rhymes for trick →Frequently asked questions
What does “trick” mean?
The word “trick” means an action meant to deceive, fool, or outsmart someone. In plain terms, a clever or deceptive action — could be a scam, a magic trick, a prank, or just a smart shortcut for doing something.
How do you pronounce “trick”?
“Trick” is pronounced TRIHK (/ˈtɹɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “trick” in a sentence?
Here is “trick” used in a sentence: “It was all a trick to get her to reveal the password.”
What is another word for “trick”?
Words with a similar meaning to “trick” include con, gambit, ploy and rip-off.
What part of speech is “trick”?
Depending on how it is used, “trick” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “trick” come from?
The word “trick” comes from Latin. From Old Northern French trique, related to Old French trichier, "to cheat or deceive" — ultimately connected to Latin words meaning "to dodge" or "haggle.".
Is “trick” a common word?
“Trick” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “trick” have?
“Trick” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an action meant to deceive, fool, or outsmart someone.
What is the difference between a trick and a prank?
A trick is any action designed to deceive, fool, or outsmart someone, and it may be playful or genuinely harmful. A prank is a specific kind of trick — a practical joke played for amusement, where the intent is fun rather than real gain. Every prank is a trick, but not every trick is a harmless prank.
Is a trick always a bad thing?
Not necessarily. A trick can be harmless or even delightful, like a magician's illusion or a clever move that surprises an opponent in a game. It becomes negative when the deception is used to cheat, mislead, or take advantage of someone. Context and intent decide whether a trick is fun or dishonest.
What are common types of tricks?
The word covers several kinds. A magic trick entertains through illusion, a card trick relies on sleight of hand, and a confidence trick, or con, deceives someone in order to cheat them. There are also 'dirty tricks' in politics and business — underhanded tactics meant to gain an unfair advantage over rivals.
What is an example of a trick?
Pretending to leave a room so that someone reveals a secret is a trick, as is a shopkeeper using a rigged scale to overcharge. In sport, a feint that sends a defender the wrong way is a trick. Each one involves outsmarting or misleading somebody to achieve a desired result.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include trick:
