Bilked: meaning, definitions and examples

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bilked

 

[ bɪlk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

fraudulent activity

To bilk someone means to cheat or defraud them out of money or something of value. This term often implies deception or trickery, where the victim is led to believe they are participating in a legitimate transaction. Bilking can occur in various contexts, including business dealings, gambling, or even personal relationships. The act is typically premeditated, with the intent to gain financially at the expense of someone else.

Synonyms

cheat, defraud, dupe, swindle

Examples of usage

  • He was bilked out of his savings by a fraudulent investment scheme.
  • The con artist bilked unsuspecting tourists with fake tours.
  • She felt bilked when her friend failed to repay the loan.
  • The company was found to have bilked its investors for millions.

Translations

Translations of the word "bilked" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganado

🇮🇳 धोखा दिया

🇩🇪 betrogen

🇮🇩 ditipu

🇺🇦 обманутий

🇵🇱 oszukany

🇯🇵 騙された

🇫🇷 escroqué

🇪🇸 estafado

🇹🇷 dolandırılmış

🇰🇷 속은

🇸🇦 مخدوع

🇨🇿 podvedený

🇸🇰 podvedený

🇨🇳 被骗

🇸🇮 prevaran

🇮🇸 svikinn

🇰🇿 алданған

🇬🇪 მოატყუეს

🇦🇿 aldadılmış

🇲🇽 estafado

Word origin

The term 'bilked' has its origins in the early 17th century, derived from the dialectal word 'bilk', which meant to cheat or to deceive. The word likely has roots in the Old Norse word 'bilka', meaning 'to deceive'. Over time, it began to take on the specific connotation of fraudulently obtaining money or property. In the 18th century, the term started appearing more frequently in legal contexts, as laws began to evolve to combat financial fraud. By the 19th century, 'bilk' became a common term in American English, especially in relation to financial crimes and scams. Today, it retains its original meaning but is frequently used in discussions involving scams, robberies, and other forms of financial deceit.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,293, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.