Trickster
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
- 1 Any of numerous figures featuring in various mythologies and folk traditions, who use guile and secret knowledge to challenge authority and play tricks and pranks on others with their acts of trickery; any similar figure in literature.
"1991, Alan R. Velie (compiler and editor), American Indian Literature: An Anthology, Revised edition, page 44, The trickster is one of the oldest and most widespread of mythological and literary figures. […] As the name implies, the trickster is, on one level—probably the most important—an amoral practical joker who wanders about playing pranks on unsuspecting victims […] With all the fluctuations, certain things about the trickster are predictable: he is always a wanderer, always hungry, and usually oversexed. Tricksters abound in folktales […] ."
- 2 a mischievous supernatural being found in the folklore of many primitive people; sometimes distinguished by prodigious biological drives and exaggerated bodily parts wordnet
- 3 One who plays tricks or pranks on others.
"A skilled trickster knows how to outsmart their enemies with ease."
- 4 someone who leads you to believe something that is not true wordnet
- 5 One who performs tricks (parts of a magician act or entertainingly difficult physical actions).
"Our fellow trickster will perform some impressive magic tricks tonight."
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- 6 someone who plays practical jokes on others wordnet
- 7 An impish or playful person.
- 8 A fraud or cheat (person who performs a trick or hoax full of falsehoods for the purpose of unlawful gain).
"That shady trickster faked being a psychic advisor to spread misinformation and gain profit."
- 1 To engage in the antics of a trickster; to play tricks. intransitive
Example
More examples"The King had hardly made a few steps to the door when he was startled by Morshu's mean laughter. The trickster merchant jumped out from behind the couch. "I got you on camera! I got you on camera!" he grinned triumphantly. "Me too," Ganon appeared next. "Hey, that's not nice!" the King cried frustratedly. "Give me that!" Morshu easily dashed a few attempts to snatch the camera. "Oh no, King, we're already putting this on YouTube!" Ganon gloated. "For the lulz!" "The lulz!" Morshu joined. "No, please, no!" the King beat his fists against the floor in despair. "Stop it, stop the uploading! Please, PLEASE!" "Hehehe," Ganon had the smuggest smirk on his face, "this is better entertainment than stealing offering money!""
Etymology
From trick + -ster.
Related phrases
More for "trickster"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.