Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

scam

 - 4 dictionary results

scam

[skam] noun, verb, scammed, scam⋅ming.
–noun
1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, esp. for making a quick profit; swindle.
–verb (used with object)
2. to cheat or defraud with a scam.

Origin:
1960–65; orig. carnival argot; of obscure orig.


scammer, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To scam
scam   (skām)   
n.  A fraudulent business scheme; a swindle.
tr.v.   scammed, scam·ming, scams
To defraud; swindle.

[Origin unknown.]
scam'mer n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary
scam [skæm]

  1. n.
    a swindle; a hustle. : I lost a fortune in that railroad scam.
  2. tv.
    to swindle someone; to deceive someone. : They were scammed by a sweet-talking southern lady who took all their money.
  3. in.
    to seek out and pick up young women, said of males. (Collegiate.) : Bob was out scamming last night and ran into Clare.
  4. in.
    to copulate. : All you ever want to do is scam.
  5. in.
    to fool around and waste time. : Quit scamming and get busy.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

scam 
1963, n. and v., U.S. slang, a carnival term, of unknown origin. Perhaps related to 19c. British slang scamp "cheater, swindler" (see scamp (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see scam on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: