GamesDaily CrosswordWord PuzzleWord FinderAll gamesFeaturedWord of the DayWord of the YearNew wordsLanguage storiesAll featuredCultureSlangEmojiMemesAcronymsGender and sexualityAll cultureWriting tipsWriting hubGrammar essentialsCommonly confusedAll writing tipsGamesFeaturedCultureWriting tipsAdvertisementSkip toSkip toscamnoun (1)verb (used with object) (1)AdvertisementView synonyms for AmericanBritishscam[skam]Phonetic (Standard)IPAnouna confidence game or other fraudulent scheme, especially for making a quick profit; swindle.verb (used with object)scammed, scamming to cheat or defraud with a scam.scam/ skæm /nouna stratagem for gain; a swindle“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012verb(tr) to swindle (someone) by means of a trick“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012Discover MoreOther Word Formsscammer nounDiscover MoreWord History and OriginsOrigin of scam11960–65; originally carnival argot; of obscure originDiscover MoreExample SentencesExamples have not been reviewed.Jurors heard Mr Lewis sent messages which said he felt he had been scammed in late April because she was "breathing".From Examples like this remind her that although the students in these schemes — filling up classrooms and stealing taxpayer dollars — are not real, the people behind the scams are.From The restrictions would also help to counter illegal scam operations in Cambodia, according to the military.From Palmer earned his nickname after being accused of melting gold from the 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery and he scammed thousands of timeshare owners out of millions of pounds in Tenerife in the 1990s.From Officials also investigate crimes such as child exploitation, human trafficking, financial fraud and scams.From AdvertisementDiscover MoreRelated Words Discover MoreWhen To UseWhat does scam mean?A scam is a deceptive scheme or trick used to cheat someone out of something, especially money.Scam is also a verb meaning to cheat someone in such a way.Example: Banks will never call you asking for your credit card number or social security number over the phone. If someone calls and asks for information like that, it’s a scam. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBrowse#aabbccddeeffgghhiijjkkllmmnnooppqqrrssttuuvvwwxxyyzzContact usDo not sell my infoFollow usGet the Word of the Day every day!Sign upBy clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com © 2025 Dictionary.com, LLC, The meaning of SCAM is a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation. How to use scam in a sentence., SCAM definition: 1. a dishonest plan for making money or getting an advantage, especially one that involves tricking…. Learn more..