hustler

hus·tler | \ ˈhə-slər

plural hustlers

Definition of hustler

a person who hustles: such as

a : one who obtains money by fraud or deceit : scammer, swindler A financial hustler who orchestrated the theft of $6.5 million from investors …— Shayna Jacobs and Alec Tabak … most of the eight major frauds Minkow helped uncover in the past year have involved hustlers trying to sell investments to church groups.— Adam Zagorin

b : one who lures less skillful players into competing at a gambling game a pool hustler This is where the chess hustlers have seized their opportunity. Camped out at the picnic tables in Harvard Square, these seasoned locals will play with you—for a price.— Evan Zigmond

c : an athlete who plays with alert energy and aggressiveness By always being the teacher's pet, by being a hustler in football practice and by being the fringe member of many social groups but the leader of none, Kelly managed to mask his insecurities.— Michael Reese

d : prostitute a male hustler "Beat" is old carny slang. According to Beat Movement legend … , Ginsberg and Kerouac picked it up from a character named Herbert Huncke, a gay street hustler and drug addict from Chicago who began hanging around Times Square in 1939 …— Louis Menand

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