fraud

[frawd]

noun

1. deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.

2. a particular instance of such deceit or trickery.

   mail fraud; election frauds.

3. any deception, trickery, or humbug.

   That diet book is a fraud and a waste of time.

   Synonyms: hoax, wile

4. a person who makes deceitful pretenses; sham; poseur.

fraud

/ frɔːd /

noun

1. deliberate deception, trickery, or cheating intended to gain an advantage

2. an act or instance of such deception

3. something false or spurious

   his explanation was a fraud

4. informal,  a person who acts in a false or deceitful way

Other Word Forms

• fraudful adjective
• fraudfully adverb
• antifraud adjective
• prefraud noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraud¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English fraude, from Old French, from Medieval Latin fraud-, stem of fraus “deceit, injury”

Word History and Origins

Origin of fraud¹

C14: from Old French fraude , from Latin fraus deception

Synonym Study

See duplicity.

Example Sentences

Gentile was convicted in August last year of securities and wire fraud charges, and sentenced in May.

Read more on BBC

When the debt couldn’t be repaid on time, it emerged that the money from the bonds was part of an epic fraud centered on cash bribes and secret fees.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Placing assets in a properly structured trust can protect them from fraud and undue influence. In cases of diminished capacity, legal guardianship may be necessary to prevent financial abuse.”

Read more on MarketWatch

Greek farmers have sustained major losses from an infestation of sheep pox, and an EU investigation into widespread subsidy fraud that has delayed payments to legitimate claimants.

Read more on Barron's

A New South Wales Police spokesperson told the BBC that they were not currently looking for any other person in relation to the alleged fraud.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blackmail 
• deceit 
• extortion 
• graft 
• hoax 
• misrepresentation 
• scam