# cheaters

/ˈtʃitɝz/ (US) · /tʃˈiːtəz/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cheaters
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

people who act dishonestly or break rules to win a game or get an advantage. In casual talk, it can also refer to reading glasses.

For teachers: individuals who act dishonestly or violate established rules to gain an unfair advantage, particularly in competitive or academic contexts. In informal North American English, the term also refers to non-prescription reading glasses.

## Examples

- The teacher caught the cheaters using their phones during the final exam.
- Online gaming communities often use automated software to detect and ban cheaters who use scripts to win.
- While the casino employed sophisticated surveillance to identify card-counting cheaters, the legal team argued that using one's memory did not constitute a violation of the house rules.

## Usage notes

- As a plural noun referring to people, it follows standard plural agreement; as a slang term for glasses, it is a pluralia tantum and takes a plural verb.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.