¹trick

noun \ˈtrik\

: an action that is meant to deceive someone

: something done to surprise or confuse someone and to make other people laugh

: a clever and skillful action that someone performs to entertain or amuse people

Full Definition of TRICK

a : a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud

b : a mischievous act : prank

c : an indiscreet or childish action

d : a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat; especially : one designed to puzzle or amuse <a juggler's tricks>

a : a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner <a horse with the trick of shying>

b : a characteristic and identifying feature <a trick of speech>

c : a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion <a mere trick of the light>

a (1) : a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack <the trick is to make it look natural> (2) : an instance of getting a desired result <one small adjustment will do the trick>

b : a technical device (as of an art or craft) <the tricks of stage technique>

: the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit

a : a turn of duty at the helm usually lasting for two hours

b : shift 4b(1)

c : a trip taken as part of one's employment

d : a sexual act performed by a prostitute <turning tricks>; also : john 2

: an attractive child or woman <a cute little trick>

See trick defined for English-language learners

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Origin of TRICK

Middle English trikke, from Anglo-French *trik, from trikier to deceive, cheat, from Vulgar Latin *triccare, alteration of Latin tricari to behave evasively, shuffle, from tricae complications, trifles

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to TRICK

Synonyms: artifice, device, dodge, fetch, flimflam, gambit, gimmick, jig, juggle, knack, play, ploy, scheme, shenanigan, sleight, stratagem, wile, sleight of hand

Synonym Discussion of TRICK

trick, ruse, stratagem, maneuver, artifice, wile, feint mean an indirect means to gain an end. trick may imply deception, roguishness, illusion, and either an evil or harmless end <the tricks of the trade>. ruse stresses an attempt to mislead by a false impression <the ruses of smugglers>. stratagem implies a ruse used to entrap, outwit, circumvent, or surprise an opponent or enemy <the stratagem-filled game>. maneuver suggests adroit and skillful avoidance of difficulty <last-minute maneuvers to avert bankruptcy>. artifice implies ingenious contrivance or invention <the clever artifices of the stage>. wile suggests an attempt to entrap or deceive with false allurements <used all of his wiles to ingratiate himself>. feint implies a diversion or distraction of attention away from one's real intent <a feint toward the enemy's left flank>.