plural tricks
1
a
: a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud
b
: a mischievous act : prank
c
: a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat
especially
: one designed to puzzle or amuse
a juggler's tricks
d
: an indiscreet or childish action
2
a(1)
: a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack
The trick is to make it look natural.
(2)
: an instance of getting a desired result
One small adjustment will do the trick.
b
: a technical device (as of an art or craft)
the tricks of stage technique
3
a
: a delusive appearance especially when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion
a mere trick of the light
b
: a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner
a horse with the trick of shying
c
: a characteristic and identifying feature
a trick of speech
4
: the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit
5
a
informal
: a sexual act performed by a sex worker
She was living on the street and turning tricks [=taking payment for sex acts] to survive.
also
: john sense 2
c
: a trip taken as part of one's employment
d
: a turn of duty at the helm usually lasting for two hours
6
: an attractive child or woman
a cute little trick
tricked; tricking; tricks
Synonyms
Examples of trick in a Sentence
Noun
It was a trick to persuade her to give him money.
She enjoys playing tricks on her friends.
For his last trick, the magician made a rabbit disappear.
Verb
He tricked her by wearing a disguise.
you tricked me into thinking my ex wasn't coming to the party tonight
Adjective
a trick shot in pool
He has a trick knee.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The trick was exploiting a Google invention called transformers to create astoundingly capable language models.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Nov. 2024
Add them all up and see if October tricked you into a doomscrolling coma or treated you to touching grass.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2014
As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat.
—Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022
See all Example Sentences for trick 
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Noun
The Shopping Conspiracy, which is about tricks that companies use to keep us buying stuff all the time.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The trick was exploiting a Google invention called transformers to create astoundingly capable language models.
—Steven Levy, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Other sculptures show how Raven tricks his way into the nobleman's home.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Nov. 2024
Add them all up and see if October tricked you into a doomscrolling coma or treated you to touching grass.
—Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
My idea was not to get too trick-sy with it, to keep it at a fairly simple visual level.
—Corey S Powell, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2014
As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat.
—Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022
See all Example Sentences for trick
Dictionary Entries Near trick
Cite this Entry
“Trick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trick. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trick
1 of 3 noun1
a
: an action meant to deceive or cheat
b
: a mischievous act : prank
c
: an unwise or childish action
d
: a skillful or clever feat designed to puzzle or amuse
a juggler's tricks
2
: a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner
a trick of speech
3
a
: a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack
the trick is to do it quickly
b
: an instance of getting a desired result
one small adjustment will do the trick
4
: a technical device (as of an art or craft)
tricks of the trade
5
: the cards played in one round of a card game
trick
2 of 3 verb1
: to deceive with tricks : cheat
2
: to dress or decorate especially oddly or ornately
tricked out in a gaudy uniform
trick
3 of 3 adjective1
a
: of or relating to or involving tricks or trickery
trick photography
b
: skilled in or used for tricks
a trick horse
2
a
: somewhat defective and unreliable
a trick lock
b
: inclined to give way unexpectedly
a trick knee
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