fraud

fraud · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (uncountable) Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

  2. 2.

    (countable) A person or thing intended to deceive others, typically by unjustifiably claiming or being credited with accomplishments or qualities.

  3. 3.

    (countable) A specific act of deception or trickery.

Forms

plural: frauds

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bank fraud — deception involving banks or financial institutions
  • •
    identity fraud — using another person's identity for deception
  • •
    electoral fraud — manipulation of voting processes
  • •
    fraud squad — police unit investigating financial crimes
  • •
    pious fraud — deception carried out for supposedly good reasons

Related words

Antonyms: authenticity, honesty, integrity
See also: deceive, fraudulent, scam, swindle
Synonyms: deception, hoax, impostor, scam, swindle

Etymology

From Old French fraude, from Latin fraus (genitive fraudis) meaning "deceit, injury." The Latin root is possibly related to Sanskrit dhvarati ("he bends, injures").