con

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a trick used to deceive someone, usually to get their money.

n. a swindle or fraudulent scheme designed to cheat a victim out of money or property.

“The investment opportunity turned out to be a clever con.”

“The elaborate con involved multiple actors and fake documents, leaving the investors with no legal recourse once the money vanished.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal · Slang

n. a short way to say 'convict' or someone who is in prison.

n. a person serving a prison sentence; a shortened form of 'convict'.

“He spent ten years in a high-security prison with other hardened cons.”

“The documentary explores the challenges ex-cons face when attempting to reintegrate into the workforce after decades of incarceration.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a short way to say 'convention', like a big meeting for fans of movies or games.

n. a large gathering or convention, particularly one centered on a specific hobby or subculture.

“Thousands of fans dressed up as superheroes for the comic con.”

“The annual gaming con has grown so large that it now requires the city's entire exhibition center to house the vendors.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to trick or lie to someone to get something from them.

v. to persuade someone to do or believe something by lying or using deceit.

“He tried to con me into buying a broken car.”

“The salesman managed to con the elderly couple out of their life savings by promising guaranteed returns on a fake gold mine.”