con

Pluralcons

Formscons, conning, conned

1. 1
   bad sidenouncountable

   A disadvantage or a reason against something, especially when you compare it with its advantages.

   One con of our small apartment is that it has no washing machine.

   We made a list of pros and cons before we bought the car.

   UsageSay the pros and cons.

   Similardisadvantage, drawback, downside

   Oppositepro, advantage

2. 2
   dishonest tricknouncolloquialcountable

   A dishonest trick to fool people, usually to get money or something else for yourself.

   The free vacation offer turned out to be a con.

   My grandma almost fell for a phone con last week.

   UsageLike scam. The person is a con artist.

   Similarscam, deception, ruse, trickery, fiddle

   Note
3. 3
   big meetingnouncolloquialcountable

   A big planned meeting where many people come together.

   We dressed up as superheroes for the con this weekend.

   She meets her online friends at a con every summer.

   Similarconvention, conference

   Note
4. 4
   trick someoneverbcolloquialtransitive

   To trick or lie to someone, usually to get money or something else for yourself.

   Don't let anyone con you into paying for a free prize.

   A man on the street conned my uncle out of fifty dollars.

   UsageSay con someone into paying, or out of money.

   Similartrick, deceive

   Note
5. 5
   nounslangcountable

   A person found guilty of a crime by a court.

   The movie is about an old con who wants to start a new life.

   Two cons escaped from the prison during the storm.

   Similarconvict, inmate, prisoner

6. 6
   steering dutyverb

   Alternative form of conn. To guide a ship by telling the person at the wheel how to steer.

   The captain will con the ship through the narrow channel.

   Only an experienced officer may con the boat into the harbor.

   Note
7. 7
   political rightnouncolloquialcountableabbreviation

   A person with conservative ideas about politics.

   The cons were celebrating their party's win on election night.

   At Thanksgiving, the cons and the liberals in my family argue about taxes.

   UsageOften the libs and the cons.

   Similarconservative, right-winger

   Oppositeliberal, progressive

   Note

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