Loading..

Loading...

American Dictionary of the English Language

Dictionary Search

Sham


SHAM, noun That which deceives expectation; any trick, fraud or device that deludes and disappoints; delusion; imposture. [Not an elegant word.]

Believe who will the solemn sham, not I. Addison.

SHAM, adjective False; counterfeit; pretended; as a sham fight.

SHAM, verb transitive

1. To deceive expectation; to trick to cheat; to delude with false pretenses.

They find themselves fooled and shammed into conviction. [Not elegant.]

L'Estrange.

2. To obtrude by fraud or imposition.

SHAM, verb intransitive To make mocks.