hoodwink

Hoodwink is a transitive verb meaning to deceive or trick someone by concealing the truth, presenting a false impression, or manipulating information. It implies deliberate deceit and is commonly used with objects like people or audiences, as in “to hoodwink someone into signing a contract.” The word is predominantly used in its verb forms hoodwink, hoodwinks, hoodwinked, and hoodwinking; the noun form is uncommon in standard usage.

Etymology and history: Hoodwink derives from a combination of hood, a covering for the head, and wink, a signal often associated with conspiratorial awareness. Historically, the sense was literal—to blindfold someone with a hood. The figurative meaning, to mislead or deceive, emerged in English during the 16th century and gradually supplanted the literal sense in most contexts.

Usage and nuance: Hoodwink carries a somewhat formal or literary tone and emphasizes intentional concealment or manipulation. It is stronger than synonyms such as deceive or mislead and can imply an elaborate or crafty ploy. In contemporary prose, it appears in contexts ranging from political commentary to fiction and journalism. Alternatives include trick, fool, dupe, or mislead, chosen to suit tone and specificity.

See also: deceive; mislead; trick; dupe; scam; gull. Notes: Although occasionally heard as a noun in casual speech, hoodwink is chiefly used as a verb in formal writing.