bunko

American  

[buhng-koh] / ˈbʌŋ koʊ /

Or bunco

noun

plural

bunkos

1. a swindle in which a person is cheated at gambling, persuaded to buy a nonexistent, unsalable, or worthless object, or otherwise victimized.

2. any misrepresentation.

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verb (used with object)

bunkoed, bunkoing

1. to victimize by a bunko.

bunko British  

/ ˈbʌŋkəʊ /

noun

1. a variant spelling of bunco

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Etymology

Origin of bunko

1880–85; shortened form of bunkum; -o

Example Sentences

Neighbors knew her from the monthly gathering of women who rotated between homes for games of the dice game bunko.

From Time • Dec. 17, 2012

Caan, a perennially baffled ex-con, basically plays straight man to Boyle as a bunko artist-bandleader and Lasser as the band leader's addled spouse, both of whom are amiably funny throughout.

From Time Magazine Archive

To date, the efforts by police bunko squads and civic associations to clean up the repair industry have resulted in licensing laws for various types of servicemen in several states.

From Time Magazine Archive

Truman also said that the television report had been "fixed up by BBDO"�which he defined as "bunko, bull, deceit and obfuscation."

From Time Magazine Archive

Many of our Western people have been to the Atlantic seaboard and remained all summer without falling into the hands of the bunko artist.

From Remarks by Nye, Bill