con
1[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
adverb
against a proposition, opinion, etc.: arguments pro and con.
noun
the argument, position, arguer, or voter against something.
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Nearby words
comtesse, comtian, comtism, comus, comédie française, con, con amore, con anima, con artist, con brio, con dolore
Compare pro1.
Origin of con
11575–85; short for Latin contrā in opposition, against
Definition for cons (2 of 10)
con
2[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning.
to learn; study; peruse or examine carefully.
to commit to memory.
Origin of con
2before 1000; Middle English cunnen, Old English cunnan variant of can1 in sense “become acquainted with, learn to know”
Definition for cons (3 of 10)
con
3or conn
[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning.
to direct the steering of (a ship).
noun
the station of the person who cons.
the act of conning.
Origin of con
31350–1400; earlier cond, apocopated variant of Middle English condie, condue < Middle French cond(u)ire < Latin condūcere to conduct
Definition for cons (4 of 10)
con
4[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
adjective
involving abuse of confidence: a con trick.
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.
noun
a confidence game or swindle.
a lie, exaggeration, or glib self-serving talk: He had a dozen different cons for getting out of paying traffic tickets.
Origin of con
4Definition for cons (5 of 10)
con
5[ 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
5First recorded in 1940–45; by shortening
Definition for cons (6 of 10)
con
6[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
noun Slang.
a convict.
Origin of con
6First recorded in 1715–25; by shortening
Definition for cons (7 of 10)
con
7[ kon ]
/ kɒn /
verb (used with object), conned, con·ning. British Dialect.
to strike, hit, or rap (something or someone).
to hammer (a nail or peg).
to beat or thrash a person with the hands or a weapon.
Origin of con
71890–95; perhaps akin to French cognée hatchet, cogner to knock in, drive (a nail) home
Definition for cons (8 of 10)
cons.
1(in prescriptions) conserve; keep.
Origin of cons.
1From the Latin word conservā
Definition for cons (9 of 10)
cons.
2Definition for cons (10 of 10)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for cons
British Dictionary definitions for cons (1 of 7)
Cons.
cons.
abbreviation for
Conservative
Constitution
Consul
British Dictionary definitions for cons (2 of 7)
con
1/ (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 cons (3 of 7)
con
2/ (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 cons (4 of 7)
British Dictionary definitions for cons (5 of 7)
con
4esp 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 cons (6 of 7)
con
5/ (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 cons (7 of 7)
con
6/ (kɒn) /
preposition
music with
Word Origin for con
Italian
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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