trickster
C1Neutral to informal; formal in mythological/literary contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person who deceives or cheats others, often in a playful or cunning way.
A character in folklore and mythology who uses wit, cunning, or magic to challenge authority, disrupt order, or gain an advantage, often embodying both creative and destructive principles.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies cleverness, charm, and a degree of playfulness alongside deception. The term can carry admiration for cleverness in some contexts, but typically denotes moral ambiguity. It is often used for characters (real or fictional) who operate on the fringes of society's rules.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally recognized in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American English in the context of discussing mythological/folkloric figures (e.g., Native American trickster tales).
Frequency
Low to medium frequency in both varieties. More common in literary, cultural, or figurative discussion than in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[trickster] + of + [place/group] (trickster of the market)[adjective] + tricksterVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The trickster is finally tricked.”
- “A trickster's luck always runs out.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically for a cunning, unethical competitor (e.g., 'He's a real trickster in the mergers game.').
Academic
Common in anthropology, literature, folklore, and mythology to describe a specific archetype (e.g., 'The trickster figure in West African narratives').
Everyday
Used to describe a person, often a child, who plays clever tricks (e.g., 'Your son is a little trickster—he hid my keys!').
Technical
Not used in scientific/technical fields outside of the humanities.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not a standard verb form.
American English
- Not a standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverb form.
American English
- Not a standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- Not a standard adjective form. Use 'tricky' or 'deceptive'.
American English
- Not a standard adjective form. Use 'tricky' or 'deceptive'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cartoon fox is a trickster.
- My little brother is a trickster; he loves playing practical jokes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TRICK + STER (like 'prankster' or 'gangster'). A person (-ster) who does tricks.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME; THE DECEIVER IS A PLAYER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'фокусник' (stage magician/performer). 'Trickster' is about deception, not entertainment. The closer equivalents are 'плут', 'обманщик', 'хитрец', or the mythological 'трикстер'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'trickster' for a violent criminal (it implies cunning, not brute force).
- Confusing it with 'magician'.
- Spelling: 'tricker' is incorrect.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'trickster' used as a formal, technical concept?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While they deceive, tricksters in stories can be anti-heroes who challenge unfair authority or bring about necessary change through cunning. In everyday use, it can be said with amusement about a playful person.
A liar simply tells falsehoods. A trickster is more active and creative; they orchestrate schemes, pranks, or deceptions, often involving elaborate planning or manipulation of situations.
No, 'trickster' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to trick'.
Yes, both Loki from Norse mythology and Coyote from many Native American traditions are classic archetypal trickster figures.
Explore