Trickery is the deliberate use of deceit or clever maneuvers to mislead others for personal gain.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Dishonest behavior used to deceive or cheat others.
- Often involves clever or artful methods of manipulation.
- Commonly used in politics, magic, and storytelling.
Overview
Trickery is an abstract noun that refers to the practice of employing deceptive tactics or ruses. Unlike a simple 'trick,' which is often a single event, trickery describes the broader behavior or the quality of being deceptive. It implies a level of ingenuity or complexity, where the deceiver orchestrates a situation to lead others toward a false conclusion. 2) Usage Patterns: It is primarily used as an uncountable noun. You would rarely say 'a trickery'; instead, you would say 'an act of trickery' or simply 'resort to trickery.' It is frequently the object of verbs like 'employ,' 'uncover,' or 'expose.' 3) Common Contexts: In the world of stage magic and illusions, trickery is a neutral or even positive term, referring to the 'sleight of hand' used to entertain. However, in politics, law, and business, it carries a heavy negative connotation, suggesting that someone has bypassed ethical standards to gain an unfair advantage. In literature, it is the hallmark of the 'trickster' archetype, a character who uses wits rather than strength to overcome obstacles. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'deception' is the most common synonym, trickery implies more 'craft' or 'artfulness.' 'Guile' is a more literary synonym suggesting a cunning personality. 'Chicanery' is a formal term often used in legal contexts to describe underhanded maneuvering. 'Fraud' is specifically a legal term for deception resulting in financial or personal loss, whereas trickery is a broader, more general term.
Examples
I suspect there's some trickery involved in this low price.
everydayI suspect there's some trickery involved in this low price.
The investigation revealed a web of financial trickery.
formalThe investigation revealed a web of financial trickery.
No more trickery; just tell me the truth!
informalNo more trickery; just tell me the truth!
The movie used optical trickery to make the actors look tiny.
academicThe movie used optical trickery to make the actors look tiny.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
full of trickery
full of trickery
exposed the trickery
exposed the trickery
legal trickery
legal trickery
Often Confused With
Deception is a broad term for any act of misleading; trickery implies a more artful, clever, or skillful method.
Fraud is specifically a criminal act of deception for financial gain, while trickery can be used for non-criminal or playful acts.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Trickery is a B2 level noun that is generally uncountable. It is more formal than 'tricks' but less formal than 'subterfuge.' It can be used both negatively (to describe cheating) and neutrally (to describe illusions or magic).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is trying to pluralize it as 'trickeries,' which is very rare and usually incorrect; use 'acts of trickery' instead. Another error is using it as a synonym for 'difficulty' just because 'tricky' can mean difficult.
Tips
Use it to describe complex schemes
When a lie involves multiple steps or clever planning, 'trickery' is a more accurate word than 'lying.'
Don't confuse it with 'tricky'
While 'tricky' can mean difficult, 'trickery' always implies some form of deception or dishonesty.
The Trickster Archetype
Many cultures have 'trickster' gods or heroes, like Loki or Anansi, who use trickery to challenge authority.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle English 'trikerie,' which comes from the Old French 'tricherie,' meaning to cheat or deceive.
Cultural Context
In many cultures, trickery is celebrated in folklore through characters like the fox or the spider. It represents the triumph of intellect over brute force.
Memory Tip
Think of trickery as the 'machinery' behind a 'trick.' It is the complex system that makes a deception work.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, trickery is not always illegal. While it is used in fraud, it is also used in entertainment, such as magic shows or harmless pranks.
It is almost always used as an uncountable noun. You would say 'there was much trickery' rather than 'there were many trickeries.'
A trick is a single, specific act of deception. Trickery is the general practice or the use of such methods over time.
It is a neutral to slightly formal word. It is appropriate for both everyday conversation and professional writing.
Test Yourself
The magician's ___ was so seamless that the audience was completely stunned.
In the context of a magician, 'trickery' refers to the clever illusions used to fool the audience.
The candidate was accused of using political trickery to win.
Deception is the act of misleading others, which is the core meaning of trickery.
resorted / to / win / he / trickery / to / the / game
The standard sentence structure is Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase + Infinitive Phrase.
Score: /3
Summary
Trickery is the deliberate use of deceit or clever maneuvers to mislead others for personal gain.
- Dishonest behavior used to deceive or cheat others.
- Often involves clever or artful methods of manipulation.
- Commonly used in politics, magic, and storytelling.
Use it to describe complex schemes
When a lie involves multiple steps or clever planning, 'trickery' is a more accurate word than 'lying.'
Don't confuse it with 'tricky'
While 'tricky' can mean difficult, 'trickery' always implies some form of deception or dishonesty.
The Trickster Archetype
Many cultures have 'trickster' gods or heroes, like Loki or Anansi, who use trickery to challenge authority.
Examples
4 of 4I suspect there's some trickery involved in this low price.
I suspect there's some trickery involved in this low price.
The investigation revealed a web of financial trickery.
The investigation revealed a web of financial trickery.
No more trickery; just tell me the truth!
No more trickery; just tell me the truth!
The movie used optical trickery to make the actors look tiny.
The movie used optical trickery to make the actors look tiny.
