First Known Use: 1590
Dictionary
1cheat
verb \ˈchēt\
: to break a rule or law usually to gain an advantage at something
: to take something from (someone) by lying or breaking a rule
: to prevent (someone) from having something that he or she deserves or was expecting to get
Full Definition of CHEAT
transitive verb
1
: to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
2
: to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
3
: to elude or thwart by or as if by outwitting <cheat death>
intransitive verb
1
a : to practice fraud or trickery b : to violate rules dishonestly <cheat at cards> <cheating on a test>
2
: to be sexually unfaithful —usually used with on <was cheating on his wife>
3
: to position oneself defensively near a particular area in anticipation of a play in that area <the shortstop was cheating toward second base>
— cheat·er noun
See cheat defined for English-language learners
See cheat defined for kids
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Origin of CHEAT
2cheat
Synonym Discussion of CHEAT
cheat, cozen, defraud, swindle mean to get something by dishonesty or deception. cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation <cheated me out of a dollar>. cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose <always able to cozen her grandfather out of a few dollars>. defraud stresses depriving one of his or her rights and usually connotes deliberate perversion of the truth <defrauded of her inheritance by an unscrupulous lawyer>. swindle implies large-scale cheating by misrepresentation or abuse of confidence <swindled of their savings by con artists>.
2cheat
noun
: a person who cheats
Full Definition of CHEAT
3
4
: the obtaining of property from another by an intentional active distortion of the truth
See cheat defined for English-language learners
Origin of CHEAT
earlier cheat forfeited property, from Middle English chet escheat, short for eschete — more at escheat
First Known Use: 1615
CHEATER Defined for Kids
1cheat
verb \ˈchēt\
cheat·edcheat·ing
Definition of CHEAT for Kids
1
: to use unfair or dishonest methods to gain an advantage <cheat on a test> <cheat at cards>
2
: to take something away from or keep from having something by dishonest tricks <“Old Mr. Peterson was cheated of his money by a dishonest agent …” — Janet Shaw, Meet Kirsten>
— cheat·er \ˈchē-tər\ noun
2cheat
noun
Definition of CHEAT for Kids
: a dishonest person
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