First Known Use: circa 1782
Dictionary
1swindle
verb swin·dle \ˈswin-dəl\
: to take money or property from (someone) by using lies or tricks
swin·dledswin·dling \ˈswin(d)-liŋ, ˈswin-dəl-iŋ\
Full Definition of SWINDLE
intransitive verb
: to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit
transitive verb
: to take money or property from by fraud or deceit
— swin·dler \ˈswin(d)-lər, ˈswin-dəl-ər\ noun
See swindle defined for English-language learners
See swindle defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SWINDLE
back-formation from swindler, from German Schwindler giddy person, from schwindeln to be dizzy, from Old High German swintilōn, frequentative of swintan to diminish, vanish; akin to Old English swindan to vanish
Related to SWINDLE
- Synonyms
- beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, defraud, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, flimflam, gaff, gyp, hose [slang], hustle, mulct, nobble [British slang], pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, fleece, thimblerig, victimize
Synonym Discussion of SWINDLE
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>.
2swindle
noun
Definition of SWINDLE
First Known Use of SWINDLE
1821
SWINDLING Defined for Kids
1swindle
verb swin·dle \ˈswin-dəl\
swin·dledswin·dling
Definition of SWINDLE for Kids
: to get money or property from dishonestly : cheat
2swindle
noun
Definition of SWINDLE for Kids
: an act or instance of getting money or property from someone dishonestly
Learn More About SWINDLE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: swindleablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: swimwearAll Words Near: swindle
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up swindle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).