Entry Word: trick

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end <used every trick in the book to get out of appearing in the fashion show featuring clothes for teens>

Synonyms artifice, device, dodge, gimmick, jig, ploy, scheme, sleight, stratagem, wile

Related Words bluff, deception, feint; fraud, hoax, swindle

2 a playful or mischievous act intended as a joke <thought that gluing the silver dollar to the floor and watching him struggle to pick it up would be a good trick> — see prank
3 a usual manner of behaving or doing <he's up to his usual tricks> — see habit
4 an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness <itʼd be quite a trick to hit that target from here> — see feat 1
5 an odd or peculiar habit <a dog with the trick of eating cabbage> — see idiosyncrasy