Word
trickery
Phoneticstrick·ery
US/ˈtɹɪkɝi/
UK/tɹˈɪkəɹi/
Definition
n. clever or dishonest actions used to trick someone. It is often used to describe a dishonest way of winning a game or getting what you want.
n. the use of cunning or dishonest methods to deceive or outwit someone. Often implies a lack of integrity or a reliance on cleverness over fair play.
Examples
“The team won the game through some clever trickery.”
“The magician's performance was full of trickery, but the audience remained completely fooled until the end.”
“The politician's victory was largely attributed to political trickery rather than genuine support, as he manipulated the rules to ensure his opponent could not compete fairly.”
Examples
simple
“The team won the game through some clever trickery.”
contextual
“The magician's performance was full of trickery, but the audience remained completely fooled until the end.”
complex
“The politician's victory was largely attributed to political trickery rather than genuine support, as he manipulated the rules to ensure his opponent could not compete fairly.”
Real-World Examples
“A human researcher would probably be able to spot an agent-made fake today, but as AI advances, it will get better at this kind of trickery.” Etymology
From trick + -ery, first recorded in 1719.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/trickery