con
1[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
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adverb
against a proposition, opinion, etc.: arguments pro and con.
noun
the argument, position, arguer, or voter against something: The pros of the library project are obvious, but we have to consider the cons as well.
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There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.
Compare pro1.
Origin of con
1First recorded in 1575–85; short for Latin contrā “in opposition, against”
Other definitions for con (2 of 10)
con2
[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning.
to swindle; trick: That crook conned me out of all my savings.
to persuade by deception, cajolery, etc.: Don't worry, I can always con my dad into letting me use his car.
noun
a confidence game or swindle: By the time my uncle realized she was playing a con on him, she had already left town with his rare coin collection.
a lie, exaggeration, or glib self-serving talk: He had a dozen different cons for getting out of paying traffic tickets.
adjective
relating to or involving abuse of confidence: a slick con man;a con trick.
Origin of con
2An Americanism first recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening of confidence
Other definitions for con (3 of 10)
Origin of con
3First recorded in 1715–25; by shortening
Other definitions for con (4 of 10)
con4
[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
noun Informal.
a convention, especially one for fans of a particular type of popular culture: sci-fi, gaming, and anime cons.
Origin of con
4First recorded in 1940–45; by shortening
Other definitions for con (5 of 10)
con5
[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning.
to learn; study; peruse or examine carefully: She's been conning her grandfather's medical diaries for months.
to commit to memory: I have conned the state capitals in alphabetical order, from Albany to Trenton.
Origin of con
5First recorded before 1000; Middle English cunnen, Old English cunnan, variant of can1 in sense “become acquainted with, learn to know”
Other definitions for con (6 of 10)
con6
or conn
[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning.
to direct the steering of (a ship): conning the freighter into port.
noun
the station of the person who cons: You will assume the con, ensign.
the act of conning: Storms from the northeast made for a difficult con.
Origin of con
6First recorded in 1350–1400; earlier cond, apocopated variant of Middle English condie, condue, from Middle French cond(u)ire, from Latin condūcere “to conduct”
Other definitions for con (7 of 10)
con7
[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning.British Dialect.
to strike, hit, or rap (something or someone): We think he was conned with a cricket bat.
to hammer (a nail or peg): Who knew conning tacks into the new carpet would take so long?
to beat or thrash (a person) with the hands or a weapon: He conned the poor guy in the pub for no apparent reason.
Origin of con
7First recorded in 1890–95; perhaps akin to French cognée “hatchet,” cogner “to knock in, drive (a nail) home”
Other definitions for con (8 of 10)
con-
variant of com- before a consonant (except b, h, l, p, r) and, by assimilation, before n: convene; condone; connection.
Origin of con-
From Latin
Other definitions for con (9 of 10)
con.
abbreviation
Origin of con.
From the Latin word contrā
Other definitions for con (10 of 10)
Con.
abbreviation
Conformist.
Consul.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use con in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for con (1 of 8)
con1
/ (kɒn) informal /
noun
- short for confidence trick
- (as modifier)con man
verb cons, conning or conned
(tr) to swindle or defraud
Word Origin for con
C19: from confidence
British Dictionary definitions for con (2 of 8)
con2
/ (kɒn) /
noun (usually plural)
an argument or vote against a proposal, motion, etc
a person who argues or votes against a proposal, motion, etc
Compare pro 1See also pros and cons
Word Origin for con
from Latin contrā against, opposed to
British Dictionary definitions for con (3 of 8)
British Dictionary definitions for con (4 of 8)
con4
esp US conn
nautical
verb cons, conns, conning or conned
(tr) to direct the steering of (a vessel)
noun
the place where a person who cons a vessel is stationed
Word Origin for con
C17 cun, from earlier condien to guide, from Old French conduire, from Latin condūcere; see conduct
British Dictionary definitions for con (5 of 8)
con5
/ (kɒn) /
verb cons, conning or conned
(tr) archaic to study attentively or learn (esp in the phrase con by rote)
Word Origin for con
C15: variant of can 1 in the sense: to come to know
British Dictionary definitions for con (6 of 8)
con6
/ (kɒn) /
preposition
music with
Word Origin for con
Italian
British Dictionary definitions for con (7 of 8)
British Dictionary definitions for con (8 of 8)
Con.
abbreviation for
Conservative
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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