dupe

/dup/

/dup/

Other forms: duped; dupes; duping

A dupe is a furry, ceremonial hat worn during ancient pagan rituals...or not. Dupe actually means “trick or deceive.” We’re sorry we tried to dupe you into believing the wrong definition.

Dupe can also refer to the victim of a trick or hoax, and — used in this sense — it sometimes conveys the idea that the victim is easily fooled. Dupe comes from the French word for a type of bird called the hoopoe, which has an extravagant crest and a reputation for being dim-witted. (And no, that's not another attempt to dupe you; it's the truth!)

Definitions of dupe

1. verb

   fool or hoax
   “The immigrant was duped because he trusted everyone”

   synonyms: befool, cod, fool, gull, put on, put one across, put one over, slang, take in

   types:

   kid, pull the leg of

   tell false information to for fun

   type of:

   betray, deceive, lead astray

   cause someone to believe an untruth
2. noun

   a person who is easily tricked or swindled
   synonyms: pigeon, victim

   types:

   butt, goat, laughingstock, stooge

   a victim of ridicule or pranks

   chump, fall guy, fool, gull, mark, mug, patsy, soft touch, sucker

   a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of

   lamb

   a person easily deceived or cheated (especially in financial matters)

   easy mark, sitting duck

   a defenseless victim

   April fool

   the butt of a prank played on April 1st

   type of:

   individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul

   a human being