What does grifter mean?
A grifter is a person who uses charm, deception, or manipulation to swindle or defraud others. This can involve financial scams, business schemes, or other forms of deception. The term is often used to describe someone who uses their charisma or charm to take advantage of others for personal gain. Grifters can be found in various contexts, including business, politics, and everyday life. They often use their charm and deception to convince others to invest in fake businesses or schemes, or to give them money or other forms of assistance. The term 'grifter' is often used in informal settings, but can also be used in more formal contexts to describe a specific type of scam or deception. It is a useful term for describing someone who uses their charm or deception to take advantage of others, and can be used to warn others about potential scams or deceptions.
nounA person who swindles or defrauds others, often by using charm, deception, or manipulation.
- A person who swindles or defrauds others, often by using charm, deception, or manipulation.
"The con artist was a skilled grifter who convinced many people to invest in his fake business."
"The con artist was a skilled grifter who convinced many people to invest in his fake business."
"The politician was accused of being a grifter who used his charm to get re-elected."
The plural form 'grifters' is used to describe multiple people who are involved in swindling or defrauding others.
"The group of grifters were caught by the authorities and charged with multiple counts of fraud."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of grifter
The term 'grifter' is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century, possibly from the word 'grift', which means to swindle or deceive. The term is thought to have been popularized by the 1970s TV show 'The Rockford Files', which featured a character who was a skilled grifter. The term has since been used to describe anyone who uses charm or deception to swindle or defraud others.
How grifter is actually used
The term 'grifter' is often used to describe someone who uses their charm or charisma to deceive others, often in a financial or business context. It can also be used to describe someone who is seen as taking advantage of others for personal gain. The term is often used in informal settings, but can also be used in more formal contexts to describe a specific type of scam or deception.