Fraud

Definition

Fraud refers to wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /frɔd/
• Respelling: FRAWD (with "FRAW" as in "draw" and "D" as in "dog")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /frɔːd/
• Respelling: FRAWD (with "FRAW" as in "draw" and "D" as in "dog")

In both dialects, "fraud" places the primary stress on the entire syllable. The pronunciation is the same across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "FRAWD."

Etymology

The word "fraud" comes from the Old French word "fraude," which in turn is derived from the Latin "fraus," meaning "deceit" or "trickery." The term has been used in English since the 14th century, primarily in legal contexts to describe acts of deception or dishonesty intended to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

Derivatives

• Fraudulent (adjective)
• Fraudulence (noun)
• Defraud (verb)
• Fraudster (noun)
• Fraudulently (adverb)

Synonyms

• Deception
• Scam
• Trickery

Antonyms

• Honesty
• Integrity
• Legitimacy

Usage

Fraud is commonly used in legal, financial, and everyday contexts to describe acts of deceit or misrepresentation for personal or financial gain. It is a criminal offense in most legal systems, and individuals or entities found guilty of fraud can face significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Related Terms

• Con
• Swindle
• Embezzlement
• Impostor
• Sham

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Wrongful or Criminal Deception: The act of deceiving someone to gain something of value, such as money, property, or services, often through false representations or concealment of facts.
  • Example: The company was involved in a massive fraud scheme that defrauded investors out of millions of dollars.

• A Person or Thing that Deceives: Refers to an individual or entity that pretends to be something they are not, often with the intent to deceive or mislead.
  • Example: The man was revealed to be a fraud, having faked his qualifications to get the job.

• An Offense under Criminal Law: A violation of the law involving deliberate deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain, often resulting in prosecution and legal penalties.
  • Example: She was charged with fraud for falsifying documents to obtain a loan.