Trick
/trɪk/
Definitions
5 meaningsA cunning or skillful action intended to deceive or outwit someone.
/trɪk/
A deceptive maneuver or action.
The illusionist's most impressive trick involved making a rabbit disappear.
💡 Simply: A trick is like a secret move or a clever way to get something. Like when you do a magic trick, you're trying to surprise people with a trick!
👶 For kids: A trick is something sneaky you do to fool someone or do something clever!
More Examples
His successful trick earned him a promotion at work.
The politician used a political trick to get votes.
How It's Used
"The magician's trick amazed the audience."
"He used a clever trick to win the game."
A playful act done to fool or surprise someone.
/trɪk/
A playful act intended to deceive or surprise.
It was just a friendly trick, and no one was hurt.
💡 Simply: A trick is a fun joke or something you do to surprise someone, like when you play a prank on your friend!
👶 For kids: A trick can be like a silly joke or a fun surprise!
More Examples
They played a trick on their friend by hiding his keys.
The students decided to play a prank or trick during the school assembly.
How It's Used
"The children played a harmless trick on their teacher."
A particular habit or way of doing something.
/trɪk/
A peculiar habit.
She had a trick of always arriving late.
💡 Simply: A trick is a small action or habit that a person always does. For example, you might have a trick of biting your nails when you're thinking hard.
👶 For kids: A trick can be a special way you do something, like wiggling your nose when you are happy!
More Examples
His trick of repeating phrases was a sign of his anxiety.
One of her little trick was to twist her hair when she was thinking.
How It's Used
"He has a trick of biting his nails when he's nervous."
To deceive or outsmart someone by a clever act.
/trɪk/
To deceive or outwit someone.
The con artist tried to trick the elderly woman into handing over her money.
💡 Simply: To trick someone is to fool them into doing or believing something. You are trying to fool them!
👶 For kids: If you trick someone, you are trying to be sneaky and make them do something they don't want to!
More Examples
They tricked their opponent into making a mistake.
He was able to trick the dog into coming out.
How It's Used
"He tried to trick her into giving him the answer."
"He was tricked by her lies and betrayal."
To manipulate something, especially a system or device, to perform in a particular way or do something not originally intended.
/trɪk/
To make something work, even when it's unexpected.
She managed to trick the security system.
💡 Simply: To trick something into doing something is a bit like outsmarting it to get the result you want, like finding a loophole to get something that you are not supposed to.
👶 For kids: To trick something is like a fun challenge to make something work in a new way, even if you are not supposed to!
More Examples
You can trick the game into giving you unlimited lives.
I needed to trick the program to run the code.
How It's Used
"I needed to trick the system to get access."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
trick or treat
A traditional Halloween activity in which children go from house to house, asking for candy and threatening to play a trick if they don't receive any.
"The children dressed up in costumes and went trick or treating."
the old trick
A commonly used method of doing something, often with negative connotations (e.g., deception or manipulation)
"He tried the old trick of pretending to be sick."
a bag of tricks
A collection of strategies or skills used to achieve a particular result.
"The salesperson had a bag of tricks to convince customers."
From Middle English *triken*, from Old French *triquier* (“to deceive, trick”), of uncertain origin, possibly related to Middle Dutch *treken* (“to pull, drag”).
The word 'trick' has been used for centuries, evolving from meaning deceit to also encompass playful acts.
Memory tip
Think of a magic *trick* - it's designed to fool you.
Word Origin
"To deceive or cheat"