Hoodwinked: meaning, definitions and examples

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hoodwinked

 

[ ˌhʊdˈwɪŋkt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

deceive someone

To hoodwink someone means to deceive or trick them, often by misleading or lying to them. It suggests that the victim has been fooled in such a way that they do not realize they have been misled. This term often implies a level of cunning or cleverness in the act of deception. The origin of the word comes from the idea of putting a hood over someone’s head to obscure their vision, thereby making them susceptible to deceit.

Synonyms

bamboozle, deceive, fool, mislead, trick

Examples of usage

  • She managed to hoodwink the investors into believing her project was successful.
  • He was hoodwinked by a clever con artist.
  • Don't let them hoodwink you with their charming promises.

Translations

Translations of the word "hoodwinked" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganado

🇮🇳 धोखा दिया गया

🇩🇪 hereingelegt

🇮🇩 ditipu

🇺🇦 обдурений

🇵🇱 oszukany

🇯🇵 だまされた

🇫🇷 duper

🇪🇸 engañado

🇹🇷 kandırılmış

🇰🇷 속은

🇸🇦 مخدوع

🇨🇿 oklamán

🇸🇰 oklamaný

🇨🇳 被欺骗

🇸🇮 prevaran

🇮🇸 blekkt

🇰🇿 алдаған

🇬🇪 დაბნეული

🇦🇿 aldanmış

🇲🇽 engañado

Word origin

The term 'hoodwink' originated in the early 16th century, with its earliest known use dating back to 1530. It is believed to be a combination of the words 'hood', which refers to a head covering, and 'wink', which implies secretive behavior. The imagery suggests the act of covering someone's eyes with a hood to prevent them from seeing the truth, thus leading them to be deceived. Over time, the usage of 'hoodwink' evolved to refer to any act of deception or trickery. The word has often been employed in literature and colloquial speech to describe scenarios where individuals or groups have been misled by falsehoods, showcasing the concept's relevance in human interactions throughout history.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,350 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.