Dupe: meaning, definitions and examples

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dupe

[duːp ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

online gaming

A duplicate item or character in a game, often acquired through glitches or exploits.

Synonyms

clone, copy, replica.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dupe	Use 'dupe' in informal situations when referring to a deceptive copy or tricking someone. It often has a negative connotation. He tried to sell me a dupe of the original painting She was duped into buying a fake product
copy	Use 'copy' when referring to something that is made to be similar or identical to another item. This can apply to physical objects or digital documents. Please make a copy of this document The book is a copy of the original manuscript
clone	Use 'clone' when referring to an exact genetic copy of a living organism or something that is an exact copy in terms of technology. The scientists successfully created a clone of the sheep This software is a clone of the original program
replica	Use 'replica' when referring to a high-quality, detailed reproduction of something, often in a positive context. The museum displayed a replica of the ancient artifact This is a replica of the famous statue

Examples of usage

Players discovered a dupe bug that allowed them to duplicate rare items in the game.
The game developers quickly patched the dupe exploit to prevent further abuse.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

informal

To replicate or copy something, especially in a dishonest or unauthorized manner.

Synonyms

deceive, swindle, trick.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dupe	When someone is being fooled or misled in a simple or innocent manner. It often implies the person being duped is naive. She was duped into believing the email was from her bank He duped his friend by telling them the wrong meeting place
deceive	When someone is intentionally giving a false impression or lying to another person. It emphasizes the intent to mislead. He deceived her about his whereabouts They were deceived into thinking the product was genuine
trick	When someone is being cleverly deceived, often in a playful or less serious manner. It can also be used in the context of magic or illusions. He tricked his friend with a card game The magician tricked the audience with his sleight of hand
swindle	When someone is cheated out of money or property through deceitful means. It often involves complex schemes and has a legal implication. She was swindled out of her life savings by a con artist They swindled him by promising a fake investment opportunity

Examples of usage

He tried to dupe the system by creating multiple accounts to take advantage of the promotion.
The scammer duped unsuspecting victims into giving away their personal information.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originated from the early 19th century, derived from the French word 'duper', meaning to deceive.
It was first recorded in English language texts around 1815, often in the context of trickery or deception.

Pop Culture

The term 'dupe' became popular in the world of online shopping to describe counterfeit products pretending to be luxury items.
In films and novels, characters often play tricks on others, and someone being duped is a classic narrative twist.

Psychology

People often fall for scams when they trust the person or situation, showing how emotions can cloud judgment.
The phenomenon of 'cognitive dissonance' can occur when someone realizes they've been duped, leading to discomfort and denial.

Literature

Literary works often explore themes of deception, with characters who duped others facing moral repercussions.
Classic literature, like Mark Twain's stories, often includes characters who are duped in humorous or poignant ways.

Technology

Phishing attacks often rely on duping individuals into giving away personal information by pretending to be trustworthy sources.
The rise of social media has led to increased incidents of online duping, where fake accounts mislead users into believing false narratives.

Translations

Translations of the word "dupe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 duplicata

🇮🇳 नकल

🇩🇪 Duplikat

🇮🇩 duplikat

🇺🇦 дублікат

🇵🇱 duplikat

🇯🇵 複製 (fukusei)

🇫🇷 duplicata

🇪🇸 duplicado

🇹🇷 kopya

🇰🇷 복제 (bokje)

🇸🇦 نسخة طبق الأصل

🇨🇿 duplikát

🇸🇰 duplikát

🇨🇳 副本 (fùběn)

🇸🇮 dvojnik

🇮🇸 afrit

🇰🇿 көшірме

🇬🇪 ასლი

🇦🇿 surət

🇲🇽 duplicado

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,930, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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24927 slut
24928 tourniquet
24929 spheroidal
24930 dupe
24931 protuberance
24932 ashen
24933 coronet
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