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Hoax: meaning, definitions and examples

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hoax

 

[həʊks ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

deception

A hoax is a deceptive act or scheme that is intended to trick or deceive people. It is usually designed to attract attention or create confusion, often for the purpose of amusement or to make a point.

Synonyms

deception, fraud, trickery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hoax

Typically used to describe a falsehood or prank intended to deceive people, often for humorous, political, or social reasons.

  • The news about the alien invasion turned out to be a hoax
  • The students arranged an elaborate hoax to prank their teacher
deception

Refers to the act of deceiving or misleading someone, often in a serious or harmful way. It's a general term and can range from small lies to significant betrayals.

  • He used deception to gain an advantage in the business deal
  • Her deception was eventually uncovered, and she lost her friends' trust
fraud

Addresses wrongful or criminal deception with the intent to achieve financial or personal gain. It has legal implications and is used in formal contexts.

  • The company was investigated for fraud after several customers reported missing funds
  • He was arrested for committing fraud by forging signatures
trickery

Implies the use of cunning, crafty actions, or schemes to deceive or cheat someone. It's often used in a slightly whimsical or less serious context but can imply dishonesty.

  • She used trickery to sneak into the concert
  • The magician's trickery dazzled the audience

Examples of usage

  • The fake news article turned out to be a clever hoax.
  • She thought the email was a hoax, but it turned out to be true.
  • The prankster pulled off a hilarious hoax on his friends.
  • The hoax was exposed when the truth came out.
  • People should be cautious of falling for a hoax.
Context #2 | Verb

deceive

To hoax someone means to deceive or trick them by creating a false impression or spreading false information. It involves manipulating someone's beliefs or perceptions for one's own gain.

Synonyms

deceive, mislead, trick.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
hoax

Usually refers to a deliberate attempt to deceive people as a joke or as part of a prank. It's often used in the context of public or media hoaxes.

  • The crop circles turned out to be a hoax created by local pranksters.
  • They created a hoax about a fake virus outbreak to see people's reactions.
deceive

Implying a deliberate act of making someone believe something that is not true, often for personal gain. It has a negative connotation.

  • She deceived him into thinking she was a lawyer.
  • The company was found guilty of deceiving customers about the quality of their products.
trick

Indicates using a clever scheme or plan to deceive someone, often in a playful or harmless way, but can also have negative implications depending on the context.

  • The magician tricked the audience with his clever illusions.
  • He tricked her into signing a contract without reading it thoroughly.
mislead

Suggests causing someone to have a wrong idea or impression about something, often unintentionally or subtly.

  • The advertisement was misleading customers about the product's capabilities.
  • He was misled by the false information provided by the media.

Examples of usage

  • He hoaxed his friends into believing he had won the lottery.
  • They hoaxed the public with a fake video of a UFO sighting.
  • People should be aware of the dangers of being hoaxed online.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'hoax' likely comes from the word 'hocus', which is part of the phrase 'hocus pocus', often used by magicians to distract and amaze.
  • It became common in the mid-19th century, reflecting an increase in pranks and deceptions.

Cultural Impact

  • In 1957, the BBC aired a mockumentary about ' spaghetti growing on trees', which fooled many into believing it was true.
  • The infamous 'Piltdown Man' hoax in the early 20th century misled scientists about human evolution for decades.

Psychology

  • People are more likely to believe a hoax when it confirms their existing beliefs, a phenomenon known as confirmation bias.
  • Social media has heightened the spread of hoaxes, as people often share sensational claims without verifying their truth.

Literature

  • Hoaxes have been a theme in literary works, notably in Mark Twain’s 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer', where a group of boys feign their deaths.
  • Many famous authors, like Jonathan Swift, used hoaxes to satirize society and political issues in their writings.

Technology

  • With the rise of the internet, digital hoaxes can spread globally in seconds, giving rise to the term 'viral hoax'.
  • Phishing scams are modern hoaxes that trick users into giving up personal information, highlighting the importance of digital literacy.

Translations

Translations of the word "hoax" in other languages:

🇵🇹 farsa

🇮🇳 धोखा

🇩🇪 Täuschung

🇮🇩 tipuan

🇺🇦 обман

🇵🇱 oszustwo

🇯🇵 でっちあげ

🇫🇷 canular

🇪🇸 engaño

🇹🇷 aldatmaca

🇰🇷 속임수

🇸🇦 خداع

🇨🇿 podvod

🇸🇰 podvod

🇨🇳 骗局

🇸🇮 prevara

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მოტყუება

🇦🇿 aldatma

🇲🇽 engaño

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,980, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.