Vocabulary Spotlight
Bilk
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To cheat or defraud someone, especially by taking money unfairly; to evade or escape from.
“The scam artist was caught trying to bilk elderly people out of their savings.”
Pronunciation
[bilk]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Cheat
Swindle
Con
Deceive
Antonyms
Give
Repay
Reward
Assist
Related Words
Ruse
Evade
Word Origin
“Bilk” originated in the 17th century, possibly as a term in cribbage, meaning to spoil a score. Over time, it came to mean cheating or defrauding, often relating to financial dealings or escaping from obligations.
Word Family
Related Noun: Bilker – One who bilks or cheats.
Related Verb: Defraud – To illegally take something, typically money, from someone by deception.
Mnemonics
Think of “Bilk” as “Bill + Trick” — tricking someone to get away with not paying the bill or defrauding them.
Industry-specific Usage
Finance
Fraudulent schemes designed to bilk investors often involve false promises or deceptive practices.
Law
Legal cases involving fraud may describe defendants attempting to bilk victims out of large sums of money.
Everyday Life
In casual language, “bilk” can describe escaping payment or cheating someone in small ways.
In Context
“Bilk” often describes dishonest behavior, particularly in financial contexts, where someone cheats, defrauds, or evades responsibility. It’s used to emphasize deceitful conduct.