First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1trick
noun \ˈtrik\
: an action that is meant to deceive someone
: something done to surprise or confuse someone and to make other people laugh
: a clever and skillful action that someone performs to entertain or amuse people
Full Definition of TRICK
1
a : a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud b : a mischievous act : prank c : an indiscreet or childish action d : a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat; especially : one designed to puzzle or amuse <a juggler's tricks>
2
a : a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner <a horse with the trick of shying> b : a characteristic and identifying feature <a trick of speech> c : a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion <a mere trick of the light>
3
a (1) : a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack <the trick is to make it look natural> (2) : an instance of getting a desired result <one small adjustment will do the trick> b : a technical device (as of an art or craft) <the tricks of stage technique>
4
: the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit
5
6
: an attractive child or woman <a cute little trick>
See trick defined for English-language learners
See trick defined for kids
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Origin of TRICK
Middle English trikke, from Anglo-French *trik, from trikier to deceive, cheat, from Vulgar Latin *triccare, alteration of Latin tricari to behave evasively, shuffle, from tricae complications, trifles
Related to TRICK
Synonym Discussion of TRICK
trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end. trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end <the tricks of the trade>. ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression <the ruses of smugglers>. stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy <the stratagem-filled game>. maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty <last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy>. artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention <the clever artifices of the stage>. wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements <used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself>. feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent <a feint toward the enemy's left flank>.
2trick
transitive verb
: to deceive (someone)
Full Definition of TRICK
1
: to dress or adorn fancifully or ornately : ornament <tricked out in a gaudy uniform>
2
: to deceive by cunning or artifice : cheat
First Known Use of TRICK
circa 1500
Related to TRICK
- Synonyms
- bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, deceive
- Antonyms
- undeceive
3trick
adjective
: using methods that are meant to deceive someone
: done in a clever or entertaining way
: weak and tending to fail suddenly
Full Definition of TRICK
1
: trig
2
3
a : somewhat defective and unreliable <a trick lock> b : inclined to give way unexpectedly <a trick knee>
See trick defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TRICK
circa 1530
TRICK Defined for Kids
1trick
noun \ˈtrik\
Definition of TRICK for Kids
1
: an action intended to deceive or cheat
2
: a mischievous act : prank
3
: an action designed to puzzle or amuse <a card trick> <Mouse was trying to teach me a new yo-yo trick … — Judy Blume, Sheila the Great>
4
: a quick or clever way of doing something <I know a trick for remembering names.>
5
: the cards played in one round of a game
2trick
verb
trickedtrick·ing
Definition of TRICK for Kids
: to deceive with tricks
3trick
adjective
Definition of TRICK for Kids
: relating to or involving actions intended to deceive or puzzle <We scored a touchdown on a trick play.>
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