humbug

American  

[huhm-buhg] / ˈhʌmˌbʌg /

noun

1. something intended to delude or deceive.

   Synonyms:

   imposition

2. the quality of falseness or deception.

   Synonyms:

   sham, pretense

3. a person who is not what they claim or pretend to be; impostor.

   Synonyms:

   confidence man, quack, swindler, charlatan, deceiver, pretender

4. something devoid of sense or meaning; nonsense.

   a humbug of technical jargon.

5. British. a variety of hard mint candy.

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verb (used with object)

humbugged, humbugging

1. to impose upon by humbug or false pretense; delude; deceive.

   Synonyms:

   dupe, fool, trick, swindle, cheat

verb (used without object)

humbugged, humbugging

1. to practice deception or falseness.

interjection

1. (used as an expletive to express rejection of something as being completely untrue or nonsensical.)

humbug British  

/ ˈhʌmˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. a person or thing that tricks or deceives

2. nonsense; rubbish

3. a hard boiled sweet, usually flavoured with peppermint and often having a striped pattern

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verb

1. to cheat or deceive (someone)

Other Word Forms

• humbugger noun
• humbuggery noun

Etymology

Origin of humbug

First recorded in 1730–40; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Boss Tweed is buried at Green-Wood, as are Jean-Michel Basquiat and Frank Morgan, who played the humbug Wizard in “The Wizard of Oz.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

If holiday clutter has you more bah humbug than merry, these tips from professional organizers around Seattle might make your life easier before and after the holidays, and well into the new year.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2023

She added: "She was 43 years without my father, 30 years without a cigarette and 20 years without a drink but never without a humbug."

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2023

In her more measured than humbug review, Bahr said “Spirited” “comes up short as a musical,” but “is still pretty enjoyable.”

From Washington Times • Nov. 11, 2022

Much of her lore was mere rubbish and humbug, nor did she know the true spells from the false.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin