English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

trickery

TRIH-kuh-ree

Trickery (noun) means the use of deceit or clever schemes to mislead or cheat someone. Example: “The scam relied on trickery rather than force.”

noun
1
The use of deceit or clever schemes to mislead or cheat someone.
"The scam relied on trickery rather than force."

How to use trickery

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDeceptive or dishonest behavior meant to fool someone.

Common pairings
resort to trickery political trickery a bit of trickery

Word forms

trickeries plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “trickery” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The scam relied on _____ rather than force.

Etymology

Formed from trick plus the noun suffix -ery, first recorded in the early 18th century.

· First attested 1700

Class of 1700 trickery joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
wile guile chicane slickness chicanery shenanigan hocus-pocus hanky panky skulduggery skullduggery jiggery-pokery

Related words

Rhymes for trickery

See all rhymes for trickery →

Frequently asked questions

What does “trickery” mean?

The word “trickery” means the use of deceit or clever schemes to mislead or cheat someone. In plain terms, deceptive or dishonest behavior meant to fool someone.

How do you pronounce “trickery”?

“Trickery” is pronounced TRIH-kuh-ree (/ˈtɹɪ.kə.ɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “trickery” in a sentence?

Here is “trickery” used in a sentence: “The scam relied on trickery rather than force.”

What part of speech is “trickery”?

“Trickery” is a noun.

Where does the word “trickery” come from?

The word “trickery” dates back to around 1700. Formed from trick plus the noun suffix -ery, first recorded in the early 18th century.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial