con
word
Definition
A con is a trick or dishonest plan used to cheat someone, usually to get money or some advantage. It is also used in the phrase 'con artist' for a person who deceives others professionally.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly informal and very common in spoken English, news, and crime stories. Usually a noun: 'a con', 'a tax con', 'an online con'. Don't confuse it with the unrelated preposition 'con' in some other languages, or with the abbreviation in 'pros and cons', where 'cons' means disadvantages.
Example Sentences
Once they realized it was a con, they stopped answering his calls.
natural
The email was a con to steal people's bank details.
basic
He lost money in a phone con.
basic
The police warned us about a ticket con online.
basic
At first it sounded like a great deal, but it turned out to be a con.
natural
My grandma almost fell for a con on social media.
natural