Chicanery
/ʃɪˈkeɪnəri/
nounC2
Definition
Chicanery is when someone uses clever but dishonest tricks to fool others. It usually happens when a person wants to gain something unfairly by hiding the truth or confusing people. This word is often used to describe actions in business, politics, or arguments where honesty is missing.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Dishonest trickery to deceive people
- •The politician was accused of chicanery during the election campaign.
- •The company used chicanery to hide the true cost of the product.
- •Beware of chicanery when signing contracts with unknown sellers.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "chicanery" like "trick" (A1 word), but much more sneaky and dishonest, not just a simple joke or game.
- ✓Picture a magician hiding the real card while showing you another—this secret trick is like chicanery.
- ✓It's the feeling when you realize someone has lied or cheated you by clever words or actions.
- ✓Sounds like "she-KAY-nuh-ree" → Imagine a snake (sounds like "she") slithering quietly while playing tricks on people.
- ✓Think of stories where a character uses lies or clever plans to cheat others, like a trickster in a fairy tale.
- ✓NOT like "mistake" (accidental error)—chicanery is done on purpose to trick or cheat.
- ✓NOT like "joke" (fun and harmless)—chicanery is serious and meant to deceive.
- ✓NOT like "honesty" (truth and fairness)—chicanery is the opposite, full of lies and tricks.
Try Other Words
- •Deception: the act of making someone believe something that is not true (Use when focusing on lying or false information)
- •Fraud: illegal or dishonest behavior to get money or advantage (Use when the cheating is against the law)
- •Trickery: the use of tricks to deceive or cheat (Use when emphasizing clever or sneaky methods)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: No clear prefix; from French "chicaner" meaning "to quibble or argue"; "-ery" suffix meaning "behavior or practice"
- •Etymology: Comes from French legal language meaning to argue or raise petty objections to delay or confuse
- •Historical development: Originally meant arguing or causing trouble in courts; later changed to mean cheating or dishonest behavior
- •Modern usage: Used to describe dishonest or tricky behavior, especially in politics, business, or arguments
- •Key insight: Always involves cleverness but with a negative, dishonest purpose
Reflect & Connect
•Can chicanery ever be used for good purposes, or is it always bad? Why?
•How can you recognize chicanery in daily life or media?
Fill in the blanks
1.The politician's chicanery was designed to ___ voters with false promises and confusing language.
2.People feel angry when they discover they have been victims of chicanery because it shows ___ trust.
3.Unlike a simple mistake, chicanery is planned and done with ___.
4.When signing contracts, watch out for chicanery that tries to ___ important details.
5.Chicanery often involves clever ___ to hide the truth.
6.The company's chicanery ___ its real financial problems from the public.
7.If someone uses chicanery, it means they want to ___ an unfair advantage over others.