hoax

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
  2. verb subject to a playful hoax or joke

Etymology

Reportedly a form of hocus. Possibly from hocus-pocus or Latin iocus (“joke”). Compare hokey.

In classic literature

Synonyms

fraud, fraudulence, dupery, humbug, put-on

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