con

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A disadvantage of something, usually compared with its advantages.

   We listed the pros and cons before making a decision.

2. 2
   noun

   A trick or scheme meant to cheat someone, usually for money.

   The investment turned out to be a clever con.

3. 3
   verb

   To trick or cheat someone, usually for personal gain.

   They conned her out of her life savings.

Origin uncertain. Perhaps a clipping of Middle English acquerne, aquerne, ocquerne, okerne (“squirrel”), from Old English ācweorna, āqueorna, āquorna, ācurna (“squirrel”), from Proto-West Germanic *aikwernō, from Proto-Germanic *aikwernô (“squirrel”); or from its Old Norse cognate íkorni (“squirrel”), from the same ultimate source. Cognate with West Frisian iikhoarn (“squirrel”), Dutch eekhoorn (“squirrel”), German Eichhorn (“squirrel”), Icelandic íkorni (“squirrel”).

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