hocus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Archaic, Jocular
Quick answer
What does “hocus” mean?
To deceive, trick, or play a hoax on someone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To deceive, trick, or play a hoax on someone.
To adulterate, especially by drugging (as in lacing a drink). Historically, to use nonsense words or actions as part of a conjuring trick or magical illusion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; the word is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In both regions, it evokes a sense of old-fashioned magic tricks or simple deception.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both BrE and AmE. Its main survival is in the fixed phrase 'hocus-pocus'.
Grammar
How to Use “hocus” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [Direct Object] (e.g., *hocus someone*)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hocus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old conman tried to hocus the tourists with a shell game.
American English
- He managed to hocus the bouncer with a fake ID.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used; appears only in historical or linguistic studies.
Everyday
Rare; may be used humorously to mean 'trick' or 'deceive'.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hocus”
- Using 'hocus' as a common modern verb for deception. Mistaking it for a noun (the noun is 'hocus-pocus').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'hocus' as a standalone word is very rare and considered archaic. It is almost exclusively encountered in the fixed phrase 'hocus-pocus'.
'Hocus' is the original verb meaning 'to trick'. 'Hoax' evolved from 'hocus' in the 18th century. 'Hocus-pocus' is a rhyming, nonsense expansion used by magicians, which later became a noun for trickery or mumbo-jumbo.
It is not recommended. In formal contexts, use standard synonyms like 'deceive', 'trick', or 'defraud'. 'Hocus' is informal and archaic.
Not as a standalone modern noun. The related noun is 'hocus-pocus' (meaning trickery or nonsense) or 'hoax' (a deliberate deception).
To deceive, trick, or play a hoax on someone.
Hocus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊ.kəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊ.kəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hocus-pocus (nonsense, trickery, or magical actions)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a magician saying 'HOCUS-POCUS!' to cast a spell and trick the audience. The verb 'hocus' is the act of doing that trick.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS MAGIC / TRICKERY IS SLEIGHT OF HAND
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase does 'hocus' most commonly survive in modern English?