trick

TRIK/tɹɪk/

Pluraltricks

Verbtricks, tricking, tricked

Adjectivetricker, trickest

22 meanings of trick

Practice

1
deceptionnouncountable
A clever plan or action meant to fool or cheat someone.
Like a trap hidden under a pile of leaves.
The salesman used a trick to sell broken-down cars.
Be careful, because that email is a trick to steal your password.
UsageSay play a trick on someone, or fall for a trick.
Similarploy, ruse, scam, con, scheme
Note
2
clever methodnouncountable
A clever or easy way to do something.
Like a shortcut that saves you a lot of time.
She knows a quick trick for peeling garlic fast.
There's a simple trick to remembering all the planets in order.
UsageSay the trick to doing something, or a trick for a job.
Similartip, technique, secret, key, knack
Note
3
fool someoneverbtransitive
To make someone believe something that is not true.
Like leading someone the wrong way on purpose.
He tricked his little brother into doing all the chores.
Don't let anyone trick you into sharing your password.
UsageSay trick someone into doing something.
Similardeceive, fool, con, dupe, hoodwink
4
magic actnouncountable
A clever act a magician does to surprise or amaze people.
Like a surprise that looks just like real magic.
The magician's best trick made a dove appear from nowhere.
She practiced the card trick until it fooled everyone.
UsageSay do a trick, or a card trick.
Similarillusion
5
stuntnouncountable
A hard physical move done to entertain people.
The skateboarder landed an amazing trick at the park.
She finally landed a hard new trick on her skateboard.
UsageSay someone lands a trick.
Similarstunt, move, feat
6
pranknouncountable
A playful or annoying joke played on someone.
Like a joke meant to surprise or bother someone for fun.
The kids played a trick on their teacher on April Fools' Day.
Hiding his shoes was a mean trick.
UsageSay play a trick on someone.
Similarprank, joke, gag, hoax
7
adjective
Made to fool people or make them believe something that is not true.
Like a question with a hidden trap inside it.
That was a trick question designed to catch you out.
The contest used a trick setup so no one could really win.
UsageUsed before a noun, as in a trick question.
Similarmisleading, deceptive
Oppositestraightforward
8
card gamenouncountable
In card games, one round where each player puts down a card, and the game's rules decide which card wins.
Like a small round where the best card wins the pile.
She won the last trick with a high card.
In this game you need to take at least three tricks to score.
UsageSay win a trick or take a trick.
Note

Less common meanings

9
verbtransitive
To dress or decorate something in a showy, fancy way.
Like dressing up a plain cake with frosting and bright candles.
They like to trick up the float with ribbons and lights.
She tricked out her room with fairy lights and posters.
UsageUsually trick out or trick up: a car tricked out with chrome.
Similardeck, adorn, decorate, bedeck
Note
10
unreliableadjective
Not working properly and likely to fail or give out suddenly.
Like a wobbly chair leg that gives way without warning.
His trick knee gave out as he climbed the stairs.
She has a trick shoulder that slips out of place.
UsageMostly said as a trick knee.
Similarunreliable, faulty, weak, bad, dodgy
Oppositereliable, sound
11
performingadjective
Trained to do clever or entertaining actions.
Like a pet that has learned to put on a show.
The circus had a trick pony that could count with its hoof.
Their trick dog rolled over and played dead on command.
Similartrained
12
personal habitnoundatedcountable
A small personal habit or way of doing something.
Like a habit you keep doing without ever noticing.
He had a funny trick of tapping his pen while he was thinking.
He hath a trick of Cœur de Lion's face.
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”Here, trick means a typical look or feature, so his face looks like Coeur de Lion's.
UsageSay someone has a trick of doing something.
Similarhabit, mannerism, quirk, peculiarity, tic
Note
13
nounslangcountable
A slang word for a sex act done for money.
She turned tricks downtown to pay the rent.
She turned one last trick and then caught the bus home.
UsageUsually said as turn tricks.
Note
14
prostitute's clientnounslangcountable
A person who pays a prostitute for sex.
A trick handed her some money in the alley.
She met two tricks that night near the docks.
Similarjohn, punter, score
Note
15
sell sexverbslangintransitive
To work as a prostitute, or to have casual sex.
He had to trick on the streets for a while.
They tricked for money downtown.
Note
16
cooladjectiveslangUS
Very stylish and cool-looking.
Those new sneakers are really trick.
That's a trick paint job on your bike.
UsageOften said as so trick or really trick.
Similarcool, slick, sharp, stylish, sweet
17
nasty personnounslangderogatorycountable
A mean or nasty person, used as an insult.
Get lost, you trick.
That trick stole my parking spot.
Similarjerk, creep, loser, lowlife
Note
18
nouncountable
A set period of work or duty, like a work shift or a sailor's turn steering the ship.
Like taking your turn at the wheel on a long drive.
My trick at the helm lasts two hours.
He finished his trick and went below to sleep.
Similarshift, turn, spell, stint
Note
19
nounobsolete
A small toy or unimportant little thing.
Note
20
nounobsolete
A knot or braid of hair.
I cannot tell , but it stirs me more than all your court curls , or your spangles , or your tricks
1601, Ben Jonson, Poetaster or The Arraignment
21
noun
A drawing of a coat of arms that uses written labels to show the colors.
22
verb
To draw a coat of arms in outline instead of describing it in words.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of trick apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Old Northern French "trique," linked to Old French "trichier" meaning to cheat or deceive. Its deeper origin is uncertain.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Trick comes from Old Northern French trique. en.wiktionary.org
Trique is related to Old French trichier, meaning to cheat or deceive. en.wiktionary.org
The deeper origin is uncertain. en.wiktionary.org