Scam Meaning and Definition
Scam
Pronunciation
/skæm/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A fraudulent or deceptive act or scheme intended to deceive people out of their money, property, or personal information, often done by tricking or fooling them into giving up valuable resources or secrets.
Examples
- The company was accused of running a scam to sell fake goods online.
- The politician was criticized for being involved in a scam to embezzle public funds.
Synonyms
- Brazen fraud
- Deception
- Ruse
Antonyms
- Honesty
- Authenticity
- Transparency
Etymology
The word ‘scam’ is believed to have originated from the Latin word ‘scambiare’, meaning ‘to exchange’ or ‘to barter’, which referred to fraudulent or deceptive exchanges.
Usage Notes
When using the word ‘scam’ as a verb, it means to deceive or defraud someone, often by tricking or manipulating them. When used as a noun, it refers to the act or scheme itself.
Cultural References
The word ‘scam’ has been used in popular culture in films, books, and TV shows to describe fraudulent schemes or deceptive acts.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Common idioms or phrases that include the word ‘scam’ are “get scammed”, “get scammed out of”, or “scamming someone”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words or phrases closely related to ‘scam’ include ‘fraud’, ‘deception’, ‘cheating’, ‘swindling’, and ‘conning’.
Collocations
Common word combinations with ‘scam’ include ‘scam artist’, ‘scam mail’, ‘scam scheme’, or ‘scam victim’.
Frequency of Use
The word ‘scam’ is frequently used in modern language, especially in the context of online scams, fraud, and deception.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word ‘scam’ include ‘scame’, ‘scem’, or ‘schem’.