hoax Definition

hoax
noun

hoaxes
1. A deceptive trick played either humorously or maliciously. Also as adj.

Example: hoax call
Thesaurus: trick, swindle, fraud, scam (US slang), ruse, imposture, deception, sham, subterfuge, fabrication, fast one, joke, prank, put-on.

verb

hoaxes, hoaxed, hoaxing
1. To trick or deceive with a hoax.

Thesaurus: bamboozle, bluff, con, delude, dupe, cozen, fool, gull, hoodwink, hornswoggle (slang), string, swindle, take for a ride, flimflam.

Derivative: hoaxer
noun

Someone who plays a deceptive trick either humorously or maliciously
Thesaurus: trickster, prankster, shyster, cheat, swindler.

Etymology: 18c: perhaps from hocus to trick; see hocus-pocus.