Trick: meaning, definitions and examples

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trick

[trɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

magic

A clever or skillful action or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone.

Synonyms

deception, maneuver, ploy, ruse, scheme.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
trick	Typically used when talking about simple, often playful, actions that deceive others. Can also involve magic or entertaining acts. He showed me a cool card trick. They tricked him into believing the joke.
ploy	Typically used when referring to a clever or cunning plan intended to achieve a specific advantage, especially one that involves tricking someone. Her tears were just a ploy to get sympathy. The advertisement was a ploy to attract customers.
scheme	Used when referring to elaborate and often secret plans that are usually complex or fraudulent. Typically carries negative connotations. They uncovered a scheme to embezzle funds. The villain's scheme was foiled by the heroes.
deception	Used in serious contexts where someone is being misled or lied to, often carrying a negative connotation. The deception lasted for years before it was discovered. She felt deeply hurt by his deception.
ruse	Used for a deceptive strategy or trick, usually implying a degree of cleverness or cunning. Often used in more formal or literary contexts. The whole thing was a ruse to distract us. He used a ruse to sneak into the party.
maneuver	Often used in situations where skillful movement or strategic action is involved. Can be used in both neutral and positive contexts. The driver executed a perfect maneuver to avoid the obstacle. He used a clever maneuver to win the chess game.

Examples of usage

He pulled off an amazing trick by making the Statue of Liberty disappear.
The magician's trick with the cards left the audience in awe.
She used a clever trick to win the game.
The trick to success is hard work and dedication.
His trickery was finally exposed, and he was arrested for fraud.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

deceive

Deceive or outwit (someone) by being cunning or skillful.

Synonyms

deceive, dupe, fool, hoodwink, mislead.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
trick	General term for causing someone to believe something that is not true. She tricked him into giving her his wallet They tricked the teacher by pretending to be sick
deceive	Implies causing someone to believe something false, often with the intent to gain an advantage. Has a negative connotation. He was deceived by the fake advertisement She deceived her friend about her true intentions
dupe	To deceive or trick someone into believing something that is not true, typically by making them look foolish. They duped him with a fake lottery ticket The scammer duped many people into giving away their bank details
mislead	To cause someone to have a wrong idea or impression about someone or something. Can be intentional or unintentional. The headline misled readers about the actual facts He felt misled by her vague answers
hoodwink	To deceive someone, especially by trickery or misleading them. Often implies a deliberate and crafty intent. They hoodwinked her into signing a bad contract The con artist hoodwinked the entire community
fool	To trick someone, often making them look silly or foolish. Generally has a playful or lighter tone unless context implies otherwise. I fooled him into thinking I was a famous actor She was just trying to fool her friends with a magic trick

Examples of usage

He tricked his friends into believing he had won the lottery.
She tricked him into revealing the secret.
Don't let them trick you into signing anything without reading it first.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'trickare', meaning 'to deceive'.
In the 15th century, 'trick' referred to a clever or cunning action.
Over time, it evolved to include both playful pranks and deceptive practices.

Psychology

Tricks can involve misdirection, which is used in magic to direct the audience’s attention away from the secret.
Cognitive psychology studies how people perceive tricks and illusions, highlighting the brain’s quirks.
Children often use tricks in play, helping develop their problem-solving skills and creativity.

Pop Culture

Magicians like Harry Houdini popularized tricks as central to entertainment by challenging audiences with illusions.
Movies often feature clever tricks, like in 'Now You See Me', where heists are executed with magic-like precision.
Social media has launched new forms of tricks, with influencers creating viral challenges that are playful and engaging.

History

Tricks have been used throughout history for various purposes, including military strategies to confuse adversaries.
Court jesters in medieval times performed tricks to amuse and make critical commentary on society.
The art of juggling, which involves many tricks, dates back to ancient Egypt and is considered a form of entertainment.

Literature

In folklore, characters like Coyote or Loki often employ tricks to outsmart others, teaching lessons through deception.
Shakespeare's plays feature tricks, such as dramatic disguises and mistaken identities, to create humor and tension.
Children’s literature often includes clever animals who use tricks to solve problems or escape from danger.

Translations

Translations of the word "trick" in other languages:

🇵🇹 truque

🇮🇳 चाल

🇩🇪 Trick

🇮🇩 trik

🇺🇦 трюк

🇵🇱 sztuczka

🇯🇵 トリック

🇫🇷 tour

🇪🇸 truco

🇹🇷 hile

🇰🇷 속임수

🇸🇦 خدعة

🇨🇿 trik

🇸🇰 trik

🇨🇳 把戏

🇸🇮 trik

🇮🇸 bragð

🇰🇿 қулық

🇬🇪 ხრიკი

🇦🇿 hiylə

🇲🇽 truco

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,828 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
6825 vocal
6826 duct
6827 interviewed
6828 trick
6829 foremost
6830 feminine
6831 educators
...