# hoax

/ˈhoʊks/ (US) · /hˈəʊks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hoax
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a trick or deception

noun · CEFR B2

a plan to trick people into believing something that is not true.

For teachers: a deliberate fabrication or deceptive act intended to mislead others, often involving a public or widespread audience.

- The video of the sea monster turned out to be a clever hoax.
- The scientific community was outraged to discover that the fossil was a sophisticated hoax designed to gain fame for the researchers.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'play', 'perpetrate', or 'expose'.

### 2. to trick someone

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to trick someone by making them believe a lie.

For teachers: to deceive someone through a maliciously or mischievously fabricated story or event.

- The public was hoaxed into believing that the radio play was a real news report.
- The investigation revealed how the investors had been systematically hoaxed by the company's falsified financial statements.

Usage: Usually used in the passive voice ('to be hoaxed').

## Examples

- The story about the alien was just a hoax.
- Scientists proved the famous photo was a hoax created by a local artist.
- The elaborate hoax fooled the entire town for weeks, demonstrating how easily collective belief can be manipulated by a single convincing narrative.

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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.