scam

[ skam ]
See synonyms for: scamscammedscammingscammer on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, especially for making a quick profit; swindle.

verb (used with object),scammed, scam·ming.
  1. to cheat or defraud with a scam.

Origin of scam

1
1960–65; originally carnival argot; of obscure origin

Other words from scam

  • scammer, noun

Words that may be confused with scam

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scam

scam

/ (skæm) slang /


noun
  1. a stratagem for gain; a swindle

verbscams, scamming or scammed
  1. (tr) to swindle (someone) by means of a trick

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012