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Bilking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bilking

[ˈbɪlkɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

fraudulent activity

To bilk means to cheat or defraud someone, especially by obtaining money or goods through deception or trickery. It is commonly used to describe schemes that involve swindling or conning others out of their resources.

Synonyms

cheat, con, defraud, dupe, swindle.

Examples of usage

  • The con artist was charged with bilking dozens of elderly victims.
  • He tried to bilk the insurance company with false claims.
  • They were caught bilking investors out of their savings.
  • The scam involved bilking customers through fake online stores.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'bilking'

The word 'bilking' has its origins in the mid-17th century, derived from the dialectal English term 'bilk,' which meant to deceive or cheat. The exact etymology is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to be related to the verb 'balk,' which means to hinder or thwart someone. The term was originally used in the context of preventing someone from achieving their aim, particularly in financial pursuits. Over time, 'bilking' evolved to specifically denote the act of defrauding or swindling individuals out of money. It became more widely used in legal and financial contexts, especially as various forms of fraud and scams became prevalent. Today, the term captures any act of deception that results in financial loss for the victim.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,693, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.