What does conned mean?
"Conned" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "con," meaning to deceive or swindle someone, usually for financial gain, by first winning their trust. It derives from the "confidence trick," a scheme in which the victim's own confidence becomes the instrument of their loss. To be conned suggests more than simple lying: it implies a sustained act of manipulation in which the deceiver posed as trustworthy — an investment advisor, a romantic partner, a charity collector. The word is informal but firmly established in both British and American English, appearing frequently in journalism about scams and fraud. Its victims range from gullible individuals to institutions, which is part of why the word resonates: it reminds readers that intelligence offers no immunity against well-crafted deceit. Related terms include "con artist" and "confidence man."
verb (past simple and past participle of "con")Deceived or swindled someone through a confidence trick or other dishonest persuasion, typically to gain money or advantage.
- Past tense and past participle of "con": having deceived or defrauded someone through a confidence trick or false pretenses.
"He was conned out of his life savings by a smooth-talking stranger who promised guaranteed returns."
"Tourists are often conned into buying worthless souvenirs at inflated prices."
"She realized too late that the online seller had conned her with fake reviews and a too-good-to-be-true deal."
The word "con" is short for "confidence" — because every swindle begins by winning your trust; the crime literally named itself after its weapon.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conned
The verb "con" emerged in American English in the late 19th century as a shortening of "confidence," from the phrase "confidence man" and "confidence trick." These terms trace back through English to Latin "confidere" (to trust fully), from "com-" together and "fidere" to trust. Cognates sharing this root include "confide," "confident," and "fidelity." The past form "conned" thus preserves the original irony: trust itself was the tool of the deception.
Related word forms
How conned is actually used
Informal register throughout; "conned" implies deliberate fraud rather than mere deception, and carries a strong negative connotation for the perpetrator while often inviting sympathy for the victim.
Easily confused with conned
"Coned" means shaped like a cone (as in coned-off traffic lanes), while "conned" means deceived or swindled.