scam
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
Usage
What does scam mean? A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something, especially money.Scam is also a verb meaning to cheat someone in such a way.Example: Banks will never call you asking for your credit card number or social security number over the phone. If someone calls and asks for information like that, it’s a scam.
Other Word Forms
- scammer noun
Etymology
Origin of scam
1960–65; originally carnival argot; of obscure origin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A report was made about the scam to Report Fraud while the couple also contacted their bank - but they have been told it is unlikely their money can be recovered.
From BBC
He assumed it was some kind of scam or sales call.
From BBC
But records produced by Pacquiao’s lawyers showed that at least one of the messages was sent to more than 100 people in what the complaint describes as a “cartel scam.”
From Los Angeles Times
And the victims may be the least able to spot the scam.
From Los Angeles Times
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Wednesday that scam centres were destroying his country's economy and giving the nation a bad name -- pushing back on allegations of government connivance.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
