bunco

noun

bun·​co ˈbəŋ-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce bunco (audio)
variants or bunko
plural buncos or bunkos
: a swindling game or scheme
bunco transitive verb

Example Sentences

they were experts at that bunco, having fleeced wide-eyed tourists for years
Recent Examples on the Web By nightfall, there was just one activity left on the agenda: a game of bunco. New York Times, 12 Feb. 2021 But at least Biden officials have become alert to the risks of the defense establishment’s indulgence of the UFO bunco. WSJ, 2 Dec. 2022 The group organizes weekly and monthly events including dinners, dances, bingo and bunco. Gustavo Solis, sandiegouniontribune.com, 14 June 2018 Invite your bunco club or friends who have never played. 'sam' Boyer/special To Cleveland.com, cleveland.com, 30 Mar. 2018 The event will feature a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, bunco, dinner and raffle prizes. Staff Reports, Glendale News-Press, 27 Oct. 2017 The event will feature a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, bunco, dinner and raffle prizes. Staff Reports, Glendale News-Press, 27 Oct. 2017 The event will feature a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, bunco, dinner and raffle prizes. Staff Reports, Glendale News-Press, 27 Oct. 2017 The event will feature a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament, bunco, dinner and raffle prizes. Staff Reports, Glendale News-Press, 27 Oct. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bunco.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of Spanish banca bench, banking, bank in gambling, from Italian — more at bank

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bunco was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near bunco

Cite this Entry

“Bunco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bunco. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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