Hoax

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /həʊks/
• US IPA: /hoÊŠks/
• Rhymes: -əʊks
• Homophones: hokes

Origin

Reportedly a form of hocus. Possibly from hocus-pocus or Latin iocus meaning "joke".

Full definition of hoax

Verb

1. (transitive) To deceive (someone) by making them believe something which has been maliciously or mischievously fabricated. (scam)

Derived terms

• hoaxer
• hoaxster rare

Noun

1. Anything deliberately intended to deceive or trick.

Synonyms

• (deliberately false story or report) canard

Derived terms

• (deliberately false story or report) hoaxical, Hoaxocaust