scam
Americannoun
-
scams
plural
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Usage
What does scam mean? A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something, especially money. Scam is also a verb meaning to cheat someone in such a way. Example: Banks will never call you asking for your credit card number or social security number over the phone. If someone calls and asks for information like that, it’s a scam.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of scam
1960–65; originally carnival argot; of obscure origin
Explanation
A scam is a sneaky or dishonest plan that's meant to con someone. A diet scam, for example, falsely claims that people will lose weight if they buy special pills or drinks. A scam is basically a hoax dressed up to look like a real business plan, worthwhile invention, or investment idea. Scams are almost always designed to make money for their creators. You can also use the word as a verb: "His evil plan was to scam people into buying fake tickets to the baseball game." Word experts know that scam came from US carnival slang, but beyond that its origins are a mystery.
Vocabulary lists containing scam
Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Imperfect Me"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Simply Scandalous!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Even if you aren’t old enough to remember the heyday of Columbia House, you’re probably familiar with the scam at its center.
From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026
Sources familiar with the investigation said victims have been reluctant to come forward given the nature of the alleged scam.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
The jury duty scam targeted David Schwind’s daughter, but initially fooled him, too.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Plus, the ‘Jury Duty’ scam costing Americans thousands, and why so many celebrities are finding themselves a private-equity boyfriend.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
The sewer tank wasn’t just empty, it was wrecked and useless—a phony prop in Dusty Muleman’s scam.
From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen
In South Africa, seven sites linked to a syndicate involved in romance and investment scams were raided.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Americans lose more than $100 billion to scams every single year.
From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2026
Your morning catch up: Big Sur’s big summer, what to know about World Cup-related scams and more big stories.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Kevin says it's long been an "open secret" that scams are happening here, and that "the only shocking thing is that the police were effective".
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
Once in a while I’d leak stuff about phishing scams.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
Some people have been scammed even though the QR code they are scanning is genuine.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
As a result, people were more susceptible to being scammed - something that often happened at a vulnerable moment, even if the victim did not consider themselves vulnerable to being tricked.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026
Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson spoke about their new dark comedy thriller series on Apple TV and what they would do in a scenario where they are being scammed.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
When even seasoned travelers are scammed by imposters using online search ads.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026
“And the mud. I don’t mind vacuuming for you. And, yes, I realize you just scammed me into doing your job. But isn’t it worth it to let the kid be a kid?”
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Here’s the common sense: This isn’t a problem of scamming students or lazy teachers, though of course both exist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
"There's so much of this scamming business, and I'm always worried that I'll hit something and press the wrong thing."
From BBC ● Jun. 21, 2026
But then you also see headlines about everyone’s scamming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026
Begging, scamming and threatening: they’re all tools of the writer’s trade in Pamela Hansford Johnson’s dark comedy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
“They were scamming you. Girls scam guys all the time with that. Kerri was listening in on the extension.”
From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
