trickster
trickster Lexical Profile
trickster Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who deceives, cheats, or plays pranks on others.
"The clever trickster managed to convince the tourists to pay an entrance fee for the free public park."
An archetypal figure in mythology, folklore, and religion—often taking the form of a deity, spirit, or anthropomorphic animal—who exhibits great intellect or secret knowledge and uses it to play tricks or disobey conventional rules and norms.
"In West African and Caribbean folklore, Anansi the spider is a famous trickster who outwits stronger opponents through sheer cunning."
• Rhymes for trickster
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 18th century, formed from the noun 'trick' (from Old Northern French 'trique', meaning deceit or treachery) combined with the Old English agentive suffix '-ster'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.