scam — a dishonest scheme designed to make money by deceiving people
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a dishonest scheme designed to make money by deceiving people
Pronunciation (IPA): /skæm/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother almost fell for a scam where someone pretended to be her grandson in trouble.
- He thought he was buying a luxury watch online, but it turned out to be a scam and he received a plastic toy.
- The company was investigated for running an elaborate pyramid scam.
scam
NOUN[/skæm/]
a dishonest scheme designed to make money by deceiving people
An elderly man realizes the online lottery win was a scam that emptied his savings.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Scam originated in 1960s American slang, initially used as prison argot. It likely derives from a shortening of 'scheme,' reflecting the word's association with deceptive or fraudulent plans.
Breakdown
A clipped form of 'scheme' (a plan or plot), with the '-eme' portion abbreviated to create the abbreviated slang term 'scam.'
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother almost fell for a scam where someone pretended to be her grandson in trouble.”
“He thought he was buying a luxury watch online, but it turned out to be a scam and he received a plastic toy.”
“The company was investigated for running an elaborate pyramid scam.”
“Don't trust that 'get rich quick' advertisement - it's obviously a scam!”
📚Related Words
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