hoax
UK: həʊks | US: hoʊks
n. a deceptive act or false story intended to trick people
vt. to deceive someone with a fabricated story or scheme
No data yet.
The word "hoax" first appeared in the late 18th century, likely derived from the verb hocus, meaning "to cheat" or "to deceive." Hocus itself may have originated from hocus-pocus, a phrase used by magicians to distract audiences. Over time, "hoax" evolved to specifically denote deliberate deception, often for amusement or mischief. Its compact form and unclear morphemic boundaries suggest it emerged as slang before standardizing in English.
The viral story about a ghost sighting turned out to be a hoax.
He was arrested for attempting to hoax investors with a fake business proposal.
The documentary exposed the hoax behind the famous "alien autopsy" footage.
April Fools' Day is often associated with playful hoaxes.
She realized the email was a hoax when the sender asked for personal details.