Word
ruse
US/ˈɹuz/
UK/ɹˈuːs/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a clever trick or a plan that is used to deceive someone. You use it when someone pretends to do one thing while actually doing another.
n. a clever stratagem or trick intended to deceive or outmaneuver an opponent. Often implies a degree of sophistication or calculated misdirection.
Examples
“He used a fake phone call as a ruse to leave.”
“The soldiers used a fake retreat as a ruse to lure the enemy into the open field.”
“The elaborate ruse involved forged documents and a series of shell companies, all designed to distract investigators from the actual source of the funds.”
Examples
simple
“He used a fake phone call as a ruse to leave.”
contextual
“The soldiers used a fake retreat as a ruse to lure the enemy into the open field.”
complex
“The elaborate ruse involved forged documents and a series of shell companies, all designed to distract investigators from the actual source of the funds.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'to' followed by an infinitive verb.
Real-World Examples
“When Baird discovered the ruse, Lamarre-Condon spent $160 on a bouquet identical to the photo to lie to him, the officer’s friend said.” Etymology
Borrowed from Bulgarian Русе (Ruse).
* As an English surname, variant of Rouse, Rowse. * As a German surname, variant of Reuss, Reusse. * As a Czech surname, Americanized from Rus (“Russian”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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