bilk

[ bilk ]
See synonyms for: bilkbilkedbilker on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to defraud; cheat: He bilked the government of almost a million dollars.

  2. to evade payment of (a debt).

  1. to frustrate: a career bilked by poor health.

  2. to escape from; elude: to bilk one's pursuers.

noun
  1. a cheat; swindler.

  2. a trick; fraud; deceit.

Origin of bilk

1
First recorded in 1625–35; of obscure origin

Other words for bilk

Other words from bilk

  • bilker, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bilk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bilk

bilk

/ (bɪlk) /


verb(tr)
  1. to balk; thwart

  2. (often foll by of) to cheat or deceive, esp to avoid making payment to

  1. to escape from; elude

  2. cribbage to play a card that hinders (one's opponent) from scoring in his or her crib

noun
  1. a swindle or cheat

  2. a person who swindles or cheats

Origin of bilk

1
C17: perhaps variant of balk

Derived forms of bilk

  • bilker, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012