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fraud

FRAWd /frɔːd/

nounB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

formallegal

Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

Fraud is a broad legal term for intentional misrepresentation or deceit to secure unfair or unlawful gain. It implies a deliberate act of trickery.

The story behind the word. The word 'fraud' comes to us from the Old French 'fraude,' which itself originated from the Latin 'fraus,' meaning 'deceit,' 'injury,' or 'damage.' This ancient root perfectly captures the essence of fraud: an act that causes harm through intentional trickery. It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe various forms of deception.

Word relationships

deception: Broader term, can be intentional or unintentional, not always criminal.
trickery: Often implies clever or cunning methods, less formal than fraud.
swindle: More informal, often implies cheating someone out of money or property.

honesty: The quality of being truthful and sincere.
integrity: The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

Commonly confused with

scam: 'Scam' is often a more informal term for a fraudulent scheme, particularly one that is less complex or involves a direct trick, while 'fraud' is a more formal and legal term for intentional deception.

Word family

fraudulent (adjective): Intended to deceive; dishonest.
fraudster (noun): A person who commits fraud.

Collocations

commit fraud
insurance fraud
tax fraud
election fraud
bank fraud
allegations of fraud

Example sentences

"The multi-million dollar investment scheme was exposed as a massive fraud, leaving thousands of investors penniless." Discussing a large-scale financial crime.
"The company's CEO was charged with wire fraud and conspiracy after an extensive investigation." Reporting on a legal case.

Memory hook

Imagine a 'FRaud' as a FRee lOAD of lies designed to AUDit your bank account away. FRee lOAD of lies

When not to use

Do not use 'fraud' for accidental mistakes or simple errors, as it specifically implies intent to deceive.

Fun facts

The term 'fraud' is often used in legal contexts, such as 'mail fraud,' 'wire fraud,' and 'securities fraud,' each referring to specific types of deception involving different mediums or assets.