What does hoodwink mean?
To hoodwink someone is to deceive, trick, or mislead them, usually deliberately and in a way that prevents them from seeing the truth. The expression is somewhat formal and frequently appears in reporting and political language, such as “hoodwink the public” or “be hoodwinked by misleading claims.” It can refer both to deceiving an individual and to obscuring a larger reality, including the true nature of a product, a policy, or an organization’s conduct. The word’s history is linked with the idea of preventing someone from seeing: its older literal sense referred to blindfolding a person, while its modern figurative sense developed from that association. Although the current verb is much more common than the older noun, hoodwink remains a vivid choice when the emphasis is on deliberate concealment or manipulation.
To deceive or trick someone, especially by misleading them or obscuring the truth.
"The company used selective statistics to hoodwink investors."
Usually transitive and somewhat formal; it implies deliberate deception.
A blindfold, especially one used to cover someone’s eyes; now chiefly archaic or literary.
"The conspirators placed a hoodwink over the witness."
The noun is rare in modern usage and is not the ordinary sense of the word.
The plural is used for the rare noun sense, meaning blindfolds.
"The old stage directions mention several hoodwinks and other devices for concealing the actor’s face."
Once associated with covering a person’s eyes, hoodwink developed into a word for hiding the truth from them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hoodwink come from?
Hoodwink dates from the 16th century, but its precise origin is uncertain. Its form has long been associated with “hood” and “wink,” and it originally referred to covering or blinding someone’s eyes, as with a blindfold. The modern figurative sense of deceiving or misleading developed from that older literal meaning.
Related word forms
How hoodwink is actually used
The word is relatively formal and carries a strong suggestion of deliberate deception. It is especially common in journalism, politics, and public debate.
Easily confused with hoodwink
The verb hoodwink means to deceive or mislead someone, whereas the rare noun hoodwink means a blindfold or the act of blindfolding.