First Known Use: circa 1796
Dictionary
1hoax
verb \ˈhōks\
: to trick or deceive (someone)
Full Definition of HOAX
transitive verb
: to trick into believing or accepting as genuine something false and often preposterous
— hoax·er noun
See hoax defined for English-language learners
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HOAX
probably contraction of hocus
Related to HOAX
- Synonyms
- bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, delude, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], deceive, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick
- Antonyms
- undeceive
Rhymes with HOAX
2hoax
noun
: an act that is meant to trick or deceive people
Full Definition of HOAX
1
: an act intended to trick or dupe : imposture
2
: something accepted or established by fraud or fabrication
See hoax defined for English-language learners
See hoax defined for kids
First Known Use of HOAX
1808
HOAXER Defined for Kids
1hoax
verb \ˈhōks\
hoaxedhoax·ing
Definition of HOAX for Kids
: to trick into thinking something is true or real when it isn't
2hoax
noun
Definition of HOAX for Kids
1
: an act meant to fool or deceive
2
: something false passed off as real
Learn More About HOAX
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up hoax? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).