World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesScam
/skæm/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A dishonest scheme or fraud, typically involving the illegal acquisition of money or personal information.
"He lost thousands of dollars in an online investment scam."
- 1
To swindle, trick, or defraud someone by means of a deceptive scheme.
"Elderly people are often targeted by callers trying to scam them out of their savings."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Originating in the United States in the mid-20th century, 'scam' first appeared in American jazz slang around the 1950s to mean a trick or swindle. Its etymology remains somewhat obscure, though it may be a variant of the older slang term 'skelm', meaning a rogue or scoundrel, derived from Dutch or Yiddish influences.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Scam"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Scam" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
arnaque
Transliteration: arnaque
"Il a été victime d'une arnaque sur Internet."
Betrug
Transliteration: Betrug
"Die Polizei warnt vor dieser neuen Betrugsmasche."
truffa
Transliteration: truffa
"È caduto nella trappola di una truffa online."
estafa
Transliteration: estafa
"Cuidado con caer en esa estafa financiera."
golpe
Transliteration: golpe
"Muitas pessoas caíram nesse golpe digital."
धोखाधड़ी
Transliteration: dhokhadhadi
"वह ऑनलाइन धोखाधड़ी का शिकार हो गया।"
诈骗
Transliteration: zhàpiàn
"警方正在调查这起网络诈骗案。"
사기
Transliteration: sagi
"그는 온라인 사기에 연루되어 돈을 잃었다."
詐欺
Transliteration: sagi
"インターネット上の詐欺には十分注意してください。"
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