con
con — verb
1. to take money or an advantage from someone by making them believe a story or pro
to take money or an advantage from someone by making them believe a story or promise that is false
Joon felt embarrassed after realising he had been conned out of his savings.
passive: con + person + out of + money
The stranger tried to con Christopher into buying a watch that had no real value.
con + person + into + -ing
Élise almost got conned by a fake bank caller asking for her password.
get conned (passive get-pattern, very common in speech)
Mira's elderly neighbour was conned by a company that promised free home repairs.
The men conned dozens of families by asking for deposits on fake apartments.
con + person + by + -ing (method pattern)
- con someone out of money
- con someone into doing something
- con someone by pretending
- get conned
- be conned
Grammar Patterns
con + person + into + -ing
con + person + out of + noun
con + person + by + -ing
Usage Note
Object is always a person who is tricked; the thing taken is introduced by 'out of'.
Common Mistakes
2. to read something many times or study it with close attention until you know it
to read something many times or study it with close attention until you know it by heart
Felipe spent the whole evening conning his vocabulary list for the Latin exam.
con + text + for + purpose
The actress conned her lines every morning in front of the bathroom mirror.
Indra conned the map so thoroughly that she could draw every street from memory.
con + object + so...that... (result clause)
Nellie conned the recipe until she could prepare the dish without looking at the book.
Before the trip, Jessica conned the train schedules to plan every connection.
- con a text
- con one's lines
- con a map
- con a list
- memorise
more common in everyday use; 'con' implies repeated reading over time
- study
broader meaning that includes understanding, not just memorisation
- learn by heart
informal phrase with the same meaning, more widely used
- skim
to read quickly without remembering details
Grammar Patterns
con + noun phrase (text, lines, notes)
Usage Note
This sense is dated in modern British English but still used in literary or academic contexts. It is distinct from sense 1 — nothing dishonest is involved.
con — noun
1. a dishonest act or false story that is used to trick someone, especially to get
a dishonest act or false story that is used to trick someone, especially to get their money
The investment offer turned out to be a con that took thousands from unsuspecting families.
a con + that-clause (describing the trick)
Defne recognised the phone call as a con and hung up straight away.
The website was nothing but a con designed to steal credit card numbers.
a con designed to + infinitive (purpose)
Police warned residents about a new con involving fake tax officials demanding payment.
Christopher lost money to a parking ticket con before he realised what was happening.
- a con
- pull a con on someone
- fall for a con
- a con artist
Common Mistakes
2. a dishonest scheme that runs for months or years, often using several people to
a dishonest scheme that runs for months or years, often using several people to repeatedly take money from victims
The charity was exposed as a long-running con that had raised millions through fake stories.
long-running con (collocation for sustained fraud)
Sirin's company was investigated for running a con that targeted elderly homeowners across three states.
run a con (collocation pattern)
The couple ran a con that promised well-paid jobs abroad in exchange for training fees.
What looked like a tech startup was actually a con built on false investor reports.
Zola realised the whole business was a con when she found the factory never existed.
whole...was a con (emphatic pattern)
- run a con
- operate a con
- a long-running con
- an elaborate con
- expose a con
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 can be a one-time trick or short deception; sense 2 always implies a sustained, organised operation.
3. a dishonest investment or business offer that promises unrealistically fast retu
a dishonest investment or business offer that promises unrealistically fast returns in order to trick people into handing over money
Joon was tempted by a con that promised to double his money in one week.
a con that promises... (characteristic of get-rich-quick schemes)
The newspaper published a warning about a new quick-profit con spreading on social media.
Élise saw through the con immediately because no investment can earn that much without risk.
Felipe's roommate fell for a con that required buying goods to resell at huge prices.
fall for a con (idiom meaning to be tricked)
Authorities shut down a con that tricked students into paying for lessons never delivered.
- a quick-profit con
- a get-rich-quick con
- fall for a con
- a con that promises...
- get-rich-quick scheme
full phrase, more explicit
- scam
informal, very common for this type of trick
Usage Note
This sense is very close to sense 1. The difference is emphasis: sense 3 focuses on the speed of promised profit ('quick') while sense 1 is any dishonest trick. In everyday use the two often overlap.
4. a reason against doing something; a negative aspect of a choice or situation — m
a reason against doing something; a negative aspect of a choice or situation — most often used in the phrase 'pros and cons'
Before moving abroad, Nila weighed the pros and cons of leaving her family behind.
pros and cons (fixed phrase)
One clear con of working from home is the lack of face-to-face contact with colleagues.
con + of + noun phrase (pattern for stating a disadvantage)
The committee listed the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.
Indra weighed the pros and cons; the main con was the project's high cost.
pros and cons + main con (natural collocation pattern)
Before choosing a university, Sirin asked her teachers to weigh the pros and cons.
- pros and cons
- the pros and cons of something
- weigh the pros and cons
- consider the pros and cons
- main con
- biggest con
- drawback
slightly more formal; implies a disadvantage that is part of an otherwise positive situation
- downside
informal; common in everyday speech
- disadvantage
neutral, direct term
Grammar Patterns
pros and cons
Usage Note
In the phrase 'pros and cons', the word 'pros' always comes first. 'Con' as a standalone noun meaning 'disadvantage' is common in business and academic discussion but less frequent in casual conversation.
Common Mistakes
5. a large public gathering for enthusiasts of a particular TV series, film, game,
a large public gathering for enthusiasts of a particular TV series, film, game, or hobby, where they meet and take part in themed activities
Nellie dressed up as her favourite anime character for the Tokyo pop culture con.
con preceded by theme (pop culture con, anime con)
Thousands of comic fans attend the annual gaming con at the city convention centre.
Defne bought rare posters from a seller at the science fiction con last weekend.
Jessica met her favourite actor at a fantasy literature con in Portland.
con as venue for fan-actor interaction
The centre was fully booked for a three-day gaming con with visitors from across Asia.
- anime con
- comic con
- gaming con
- pop culture con
- science fiction con
- go to a con
- attend a con
- convention
full form; more formal
- fan convention
explicit about the audience
- expo
broader; may include industry trade shows, not just fan events
Usage Note
This sense is a clipping of 'convention' and is almost always used with a modifier that specifies the theme (gaming con, anime con, comic con). It is very common in internet and youth culture.
6. a person officially judged by a court to have committed a serious crime, now ser
a person officially judged by a court to have committed a serious crime, now serving a prison sentence
The film follows a former con who tries to rebuild his life after leaving prison.
former con (someone who served their sentence)
Sirin interviewed several cons for her research on prison education programmes.
Christopher wrote a novel based on letters from a con serving a life sentence.
con + serving + sentence (typical legal context)
The prison offers vocational classes to help cons prepare for employment after release.
Two cons escaped from the maximum-security facility during a power failure.
- a con
- former con
- ex-con
- a con serving time
- a con in prison
Usage Note
This sense is a clipping of 'convict'. It is informal and can carry a negative or dismissive tone. In neutral formal contexts, 'prisoner' or 'inmate' is preferred.
the pros and cons
idiomThe good points and bad points of a situation or decision.
Maya listed the pros and cons of moving to a new city.
Before buying a car, Diego considered the pros and cons carefully.
con — prefix
1. a prefix borrowed from Latin meaning 'together' or 'with', appearing at the star
a prefix borrowed from Latin meaning 'together' or 'with', appearing at the start of many English words to add the idea of joining or sharing
Knowing 'con-' means 'together' explains why 'conference' is a meeting where people gather.
con- + fer (to carry/bring) = bring together
The word 'connect' uses the prefix 'con-' to describe two things being joined together.
In 'converge', the prefix 'con-' suggests lines or people coming together at the same point.
Ayana and her neighbours reached a consensus at the community meeting about the new park.
consensus in a real meeting (con- = together)
Fans from around the world congregated in Seoul for the international music festival.
congregate as people coming together (con- = together)
Usage Note
The prefix 'con-' changes its spelling depending on the first letter of the root it attaches to: 'col-' before L (collect), 'com-' before B/P/M (combine, compose), 'cor-' before R (correct). This is a productive prefix — understanding it helps decode many English words.
con — adjective
1. shortened form of 'Conservative' used in writing, referring to the British polit
shortened form of 'Conservative' used in writing, referring to the British political party that traditionally supports free markets and traditional social values
The MP won as a Con candidate in a rural seat held for decades.
Con candidate (UK political label)
Sirin reads news about Labour and Con policies each week before the election.
Con party (contrast with Labour)
The annual Con party conference in Manchester drew thousands of delegates from every region.
Nila noticed the opinion column took a strongly Con point of view on tax policy.
Con point of view (political perspective)
The Con government announced new education reforms in Parliament during the morning session.
- Con candidate
- Con party
- Con government
- Con MP
- Conservative
full form; more formal and clear
- Tory
informal British term for the same party
- Labour
the main opposing party in UK politics
Usage Note
This abbreviation is used mainly in newspaper headlines, tables, and informal political discussion. In full sentences, the party name 'Conservative' is more standard. The abbreviation 'Tory' is also common in British English.
con — adverb
1. on the side against a proposal, idea, or question — used mostly in the fixed phr
on the side against a proposal, idea, or question — used mostly in the fixed phrase 'pro and con' (for and against)
The senator argued pro and con for nearly an hour before calling the vote.
pro and con (fixed adverbial pair)
Each speaker presented arguments pro and con on the proposed change to the law.
The debate allowed members of the public to voice their views pro and con.
Felipe outlined the reasons pro and con before making his final decision.
reasons pro and con (modifying noun)
The committee heard testimony pro and con about the new stadium project.
- argue pro and con
- reasons pro and con
- arguments pro and con
- pro and con
Grammar Patterns
pro and con
Usage Note
This word only appears in the paired phrase 'pro and con' (or 'pro or con'). It is never used alone as a standalone adverb in modern English. The phrase functions both adverbially (as here) and as a noun phrase ('the pros and cons').
con — abbreviation
1. written abbreviation for 'consolidated', used in financial statements and corpor
written abbreviation for 'consolidated', used in financial statements and corporate names to indicate that separate items have been combined into one report
The company's con. balance sheet showed total assets of 2.5 billion dollars.
con. (with period) in financial context
Investors reviewed the con. earnings report before the shareholder meeting.
The annual report includes both parent and con. subsidiary figures.
Accountants prepared a con. statement covering all branches of the organisation.
The con. tax return combined data from five separate business units.
- con. statement
- con. balance sheet
- con. earnings
- con. report
Usage Note
In financial contexts this is usually written with a period ('con.'). It appears in column headers, report titles, and abbreviated notes.
2. written abbreviation for 'consort', used in titles to refer to the spouse of a r
written abbreviation for 'consort', used in titles to refer to the spouse of a ruling monarch
The invitation was addressed to 'Her Majesty the Queen and HRH Prince Con.'
Con. in royal title (abbreviation for Consort)
The royal biography focused on the role of the prince con. in supporting the monarch.
Official programmes listed the queen and her con. as the guests of honour.
The historian traced the changing duties of the king's con. through several centuries.
A portrait of the prince con. hung in the royal gallery alongside the monarch's.
- prince con.
- queen con.
- con. (royal title)
Usage Note
This is an uncommon abbreviation, mainly found in historical documents and formal royal contexts. Most learners will encounter 'prince consort' or 'queen consort' written in full rather than abbreviated.
3. written abbreviation for 'consul', a government official who represents their co
written abbreviation for 'consul', a government official who represents their country in a foreign city and helps citizens there
The document was signed by the French Con. in Singapore.
Con. as diplomatic title
Citizens in need of a passport should contact the office of the Con. General.
The US Con. issued an emergency travel document for the stranded tourist.
A reception was held at the residence of the Japanese Con. in Mumbai.
The British Con. offered assistance to citizens affected by the natural disaster.
- the British Con.
- the French Con.
- the office of the Con.
- Con. General
Usage Note
Usually capitalised when used as a title ('the British Con.'). The abbreviation is less common than writing 'consul' in full, except in newspaper headlines and official notes.
4. written abbreviation for 'continued', used at the bottom of a page or section to
written abbreviation for 'continued', used at the bottom of a page or section to show that text goes on to the next page
The bottom of page twelve read 'con. on page fourteen' with a note in italics.
con. on [page] (publishing instruction)
The article continued with a 'con.' heading at the top of the next column.
Editors place 'con.' at the end of a paragraph that carries over to another page.
The table of financial data had a note saying 'con.' in the lower right corner.
Each chapter ended with 'con.' to guide readers to the following section.
- con. on page X
- con. next page
- con. below
- con. (end of page)
Usage Note
In digital publishing this abbreviation has become less common, but it still appears in printed books, legal documents, and academic papers.
Word family
- con artistnounB1
- con mannounB1
- convictnounB2
- conventionnounB1
- pros and consphraseB2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words refer to dishonest acts that deceive someone, but they differ in scope and register. 'Con' (from 'confidence trick') implies a deception built on gaining the victim's trust first — a con artist makes you believe in them before taking your money. 'Scam' is the most common modern word, used especially for internet, phone, and email fraud; it is informal and very frequent in news reports. 'Swindle' is more formal than 'con' or 'scam' and usually involves a business or financial transaction where the victim is cheated out of money or property. 'Trick' is the broadest term — it can describe harmless pranks as well as dishonest deceptions, and does not always involve money. For example, a friend might play a trick on you for a laugh, whereas a con always aims at financial or material gain. In everyday conversation, 'scam' and 'con' are the most interchangeable, but 'scam' has largely replaced 'con' in contexts involving online fraud.
Common collocations
Nouns
- artist (con artist)
- man (con man)
Phrases
- pros and cons
- pro and con
Prepositions
- out of (con someone out of something)
- into (con someone into doing something)
- on (pull a con on someone)
Etymology
The word 'con' has several origins that converged in English. The prefix 'con-' comes from Latin 'cum' meaning 'with' or 'together', which entered English through French words borrowed after the Norman Conquest. The noun and verb meaning 'trick' or 'swindle' is a shortening of 'confidence trick' (first recorded in the late 19th century), where a 'confidence man' gains a victim's trust before cheating them. The noun meaning 'prisoner' is a clipping of 'convict' (from Latin 'convictus', past participle of 'convincere' meaning 'to prove guilty'). The adverb and noun sense meaning 'against' comes from Latin 'contra' meaning 'against', shortened in English to form the pair 'pro and con'. The abbreviation meanings (consul, consort, continued) are independent shortenings of their respective full words and are not historically related to the other senses.