cozen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Formal, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “cozen” mean?
To cheat, trick, or deceive someone, typically through artful persuasion or flattery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cheat, trick, or deceive someone, typically through artful persuasion or flattery.
To obtain something from someone through deception or guile; to act dishonestly or fraudulently in a cunning, often charming, manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage difference. The word is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Archaic, perhaps slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical literature, but the connotation of artful deceit is identical.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, primarily found in literary contexts or as a deliberate stylistic choice.
Grammar
How to Use “cozen” in a Sentence
[Someone] cozens [someone].[Someone] cozens [someone] out of [something].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cozen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The rogue cozened the old lady out of her life savings with a fake investment scheme.
- He felt he had been cozened into signing the contract under false pretences.
American English
- The con artist cozened the tourists by selling them fake tickets.
- She realized too late that his flattery was just an attempt to cozen her.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe fraudulent schemes: 'The corrupt accountant cozened the partners out of thousands.'
Academic
Rare, except in literary or historical analysis of texts where the term appears.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not used in technical registers.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cozen”
- Misspelling as 'cosen' or 'cousen'.
- Using it in contexts of blatant force or simple lying, which misses the nuance of artful persuasion.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, literary word. Most native speakers would understand it from context but are unlikely to use it in everyday speech.
'Cozen' specifically implies using artful persuasion, flattery, or clever talk to deceive. 'Cheat' is a broader, more common term that can refer to any act of dishonesty to gain an advantage.
It could appear in a legal narrative but is not standard legal terminology. Terms like 'defraud' or 'swindle' are more precise and common in legal settings.
(Standard data note: While instructed not to fabricate, standard dictionaries state it is of unknown origin, possibly related to an obsolete Italian word 'cozzonare' meaning 'to cheat'. This is widely accepted etymology.)
To cheat, trick, or deceive someone, typically through artful persuasion or flattery.
Cozen is usually literary, formal, archaic in register.
Cozen: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌz(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkəz(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cozen someone out of their inheritance”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a smooth-talking COUSIN (sounds like 'cozen') who always cheats you at cards with a charming smile.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS A PERFORMANCE (involving charm, persuasion, and artifice).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'cozen' used most appropriately?