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Definition of trick
1a : a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraudb : a mischievous act : prankc : a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat; especially : one designed to puzzle or amuse a juggler's tricksd : an indiscreet or childish action
2a (1) : a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack the trick is to make it look natural (2) : an instance of getting a desired result one small adjustment will do the trickb : a technical device (as of an art or craft) the tricks of stage technique
3a : a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion a mere trick of the lightb : a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner a horse with the trick of shyingc : a characteristic and identifying feature a trick of speech
4 : the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit
5a : a sexual act performed by a prostitute turning tricks; also : john 2b : shift 4b(1)c : a trip taken as part of one's employmentd : a turn of duty at the helm usually lasting for two hours
6 : an attractive child or woman a cute little trick
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Examples of trick in a Sentence
It was a trick to persuade her to give him money.
She enjoys playing tricks on her friends.
For his last trick, the magician made a rabbit disappear.
Recent Examples of trick from the Web
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Though the hundreds in the crowd appeared to be having a good time, boarder after boarder after boarder failed to pull off any tricks at a faux-skateboard park near a popular mall.
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Share your fish stories, adventures, tips and tricks at outdoors@idahostatesman.com.
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That bill simplified the formulas for funding public schools and injected $1.5 billion into public schools, in part by using a budget trick to defer a payment to public schools until 2019.
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Fortunately, Dr. Engelman has plenty of tricks up her sleeve for stopping and even reversing genetic signs of aging.
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So the trick for Karen Handel was to keep her distance from Trump without antagonizing his supporters.
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Perhaps the first trick self-portrait was taken by a man named Hippolyte Bayard in 1840.
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Cheap TrickThe Versa’s sparsely dressed interior reflects the sedan’s $12,875 starting price.
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This trick worked because both light and gravity follow the same inverse-square relationship: If the distance from a source doubles, both the strength of gravity and the intensity of light drop to a quarter of the original.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trick'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of trick
Middle English trikke, from Anglo-French *trik, from trikier to deceive, cheat, from Vulgar Latin *triccare, alteration of Latin tricari to behave evasively, shuffle, from tricae complications, trifles
Synonym Discussion of trick
trick
Definition of trick
Examples of trick in a Sentence
He tricked her by wearing a disguise.
you tricked me into thinking my ex wasn't coming to the party tonight
First Known Use of trick
circa 1500
trick
Definition of trick
Examples of trick in a Sentence
a trick shot in pool
He has a trick knee.
First Known Use of trick
circa 1530
TRICK Defined for English Language Learners
trick
playDefinition of trick for English Language Learners
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: an action that is meant to deceive someone
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: something done to surprise or confuse someone and to make other people laugh
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: a clever and skillful action that someone performs to entertain or amuse people
trick
Definition of trick for English Language Learners
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: to deceive (someone)
trick
Definition of trick for English Language Learners
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: using methods that are meant to deceive someone
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: done in a clever or entertaining way
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: weak and tending to fail suddenly
TRICK Defined for Kids
Definition of trick for Students
1 : an action intended to deceive or cheat
2 : a mischievous act : prank
3 : an action designed to puzzle or amuse a card trick Mouse was trying to teach me a new yo-yo trick … — Judy Blume, Sheila the Great
4 : a quick or clever way of doing something I know a trick for remembering names.
5 : the cards played in one round of a game
Definition of trick for Students
: relating to or involving actions intended to deceive or puzzle We scored a touchdown on a trick play.
Learn More about trick
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See words that rhyme with trick Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trick Spanish Central: Translation of trick Nglish: Translation of trick for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trick for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trick
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