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scam

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noun \ˈskam\

Definition of scam

  1. :  a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation an insurance scam

See scam defined for English-language learners

See scam defined for kids

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Examples of scam in a Sentence

  1. She was the victim of an insurance scam.

  2. a sophisticated credit card scam

Origin and Etymology of scam

origin unknown


First Known Use: 1963

scam Synonyms

Synonyms
bunco (or bunko), con, fiddle [chiefly British], flimflam, gyp, hustle, fraud, shell game, sting, swindle
Related Words
cross, fix; Ponzi scheme, pyramid scheme; racket, rip-off; thimblerig, three-card monte; device, dodge, gimmick, jig, ploy, scheme, sleight, stratagem, trick, wile; gouging, overcharging, soaking; counterfeit, fake, forgery, hoax, humbug, phony (also phoney), sham
2

scam

verb

Definition of scam

scammed

;

scamming
  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  deceive, defraud

  3. 2 :  to obtain (something, such as money) by a scam

scammer

noun

See scam defined for English-language learners

Examples of scam in a Sentence

  1. The company scammed hundreds of people out of their life savings.

  2. I could tell they were scamming you and charging too much.

  3. They scammed a lot of money from unwary customers.

1963

First Known Use of scam

1963

SCAM Defined for English Language Learners

1

scam

play
noun \ˈskam\

Definition of scam for English Language Learners

  • : a dishonest way to make money by deceiving people

2

scam

verb

Definition of scam for English Language Learners

  • : to deceive and take money from (someone)

  • : to get (something, such as money) by deceiving someone

Learn More about scam

  1. See words that rhyme with scam Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scam Spanish Central: Translation of scam Nglish: Translation of scam for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of scam for Arabic speakers

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Examples: scam in a Sentence