Meaning & use
tricks
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“tricks” is a form of “trick”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Clever acts or methods used to fool someone or to get a result in an unusual, skillful way.
Grammar: Plural of trick: one trick, many tricks.
Patterns
- tricks of the trade
- tricks for doing something
The magician showed three card tricks.
She knows a few tricks for removing stains.
Don't fall for their sales tricks.
nounpluralinformal
Playful acts or pranks meant to surprise or amuse someone, often done at Halloween or by children.
Grammar: Often in the fixed phrase trick or treat, or after play: play tricks on someone.
Patterns
- play tricks on someone
The twins played tricks on their babysitter.
Halloween tricks included hiding fake spiders in the cupboards.
My little brother is full of tricks.
verbtransitive
Deceives someone in order to get something or to make them believe something false; this is the third person singular form of trick.
Grammar: Takes an object and is used with he, she or it: he tricks people into signing.
Patterns
- trick someone into doing something
- trick someone out of something
The email tricks people into giving away their passwords.
She tricks her dog into taking medicine by hiding it in cheese.
A cheap offer sometimes tricks shoppers into buying more.
Word forms
| singular | trick |
|---|
Common combinations
- card tricks
- My uncle does card tricks at every party.
- learn the tricks of the trade
- She learned the tricks of the trade in a busy kitchen.
- play tricks on someone
- Tiredness can play tricks on your eyes.
- magic tricks
- The kids loved the magic tricks.
- clever tricks
- The site uses clever tricks to keep you scrolling.
Synonyms and how they differ
- deceives
- Deceives is more formal and serious than tricks, which can be light or playful.
- stunts
- Stunts are daring physical acts for show, while tricks may be sleight of hand or advice.
- hacks
- Hacks are clever shortcuts for daily tasks, narrower than tricks, which can also mean deceit.
- pranks
- Pranks are jokes played on someone and are always meant to amuse, which tricks need not be.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: tricks or treats?
tricks vs treats
At Halloween, treats are sweets given to children, and tricks are the pranks they threaten if none arrive.
Practice
The teacher knows many ___ for helping students remember spelling.
Choose one answer.
Tricks means clever methods, which fits helping memory. Treats, trucks and tracks do not make sense for spelling advice.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tricks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.