# fraud

/ˈfɹɔd/ (US) · /fɹˈɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fraud
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the crime of deception

noun · CEFR B2

the crime of using tricks or lies to get money or property from someone.

For teachers: the intentional use of deceit, trickery, or perversion of truth to induce another to part with something of value or a legal right.

- The businessman was arrested for credit card fraud after stealing thousands of dollars.
- The investigation uncovered a massive case of insurance fraud involving several high-ranking executives and a network of shell companies.

Usage: Often used uncountably to refer to the crime in general, or countably to refer to a specific instance.

### 2. a person who is a fake

noun · CEFR B2

a person who pretends to be someone else or to have skills they do not really have.

For teachers: a person who is not what they pretend to be; an impostor or a charlatan.

- He felt like a fraud when he realized he didn't know as much as the other experts.
- Despite his expensive suit and confident manner, the board eventually realized he was a fraud with no actual medical degree.

Usage: Used as a countable noun to describe an individual.

Teaching tip: This sense is often used in a personal or social context to express a feeling of inadequacy, such as 'impostor syndrome'.

## Examples

- He was arrested for credit card fraud.
- The company fell victim to a complex fraud involving fake invoices sent by a former employee.
- While the legal definition of fraud requires proof of intent to deceive, the public often uses the term more broadly to describe any perceived lack of authenticity in a person's character.

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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.